You may have heard a lot this past season about JP Crawford and Maikel Franco, but another Phillies prospect is grabbing some attention in the Arizona Fall League. Just 5-foot-10, Roman Quinn was originally a shortstop prospect for the Phils but has since been switched to centerfield, where his speed could become an asset in the future.
In yesterday's game, Quinn helped the Scottsdale Scorpions defeat the Peoria Javelinas, 6-2, with his first home run in the AFL.
Due to a ruptured Achillies tendon, Quinn missed the start of the 2014 season, but still managed to hit a career-high seven home runs. During the second half of the season, Quinn got his speed back, stealing 29 bases in 67 games.
Quinn is down in the Fall League for multiple reasons, one being his approach at the plate. This season he only walked 36 times and went down via the strikeout 80 times in just 88 games. Quinn spoke with Jake Seiner of MiLB.com about how the progress is coming along with his offensive game.
"I think I'm getting more mature and stronger from both sides of the plate. I'm recognizing the ball a lot better than when I was younger."
"I feel like I'm getting a lot better out there. I'm definitely learning," Quinn said. "My walk-to-strikeout ratio [is what's improved most]. That's one thing I want to do, is cut down on my strikeouts."
Quinn also leads the AFL in stolen bases, swiping 10 bags while getting caught just twice. In addition to his first homer hit, Quinn also has a triple and five RBI's to go along with a .354 OBP in 14 games for Scottsdale.
The Arizona Fall League announced their Fall Stars Game rosters yesterday and it included Quinn on the East Division roster along with Phillies farmhand Nefi Ogando, who is 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 9.2 innings for the Scorpions. Ogando is a possible replacement on the 40-man roster for B.J. Rosenberg, who was removed yesterday.
"It's definitely a blessing," Quinn said. "I'm very excited to play in that game. It's going to be a very fun time playing against some of the best players in the Minor Leagues."
Rehabbing pitcher Adam Morgan is 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA for Scottsdale in 9.1 innings pitched. In his most recent start, he allowed two earned runs in four innings of work, striking out three and walking one. Morgan is recovering from surgery on a torn rotator cuff that caused him to miss the entire 2014 season.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
