‘Not-Yet-Elite 11’: Ranking of Philadelphia’s Most Promising Young Talent

11.) OF Roman Quinn-Phillies 

Oct. 14, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Roman Quinn plays for the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The term ‘excitement’ doesn’t often get linked to the Phillies organization much these days. Roman Quinn is doing his best to change that, one blazing fast step at a time. The 2011 second round pick has battled his way through a position change, injury, and the normal growing pains that come along with a ballplayer’s development and is starting to see the fruits of his labor.

Quinn capitalized on the small-ball and speed approach utilized by the Royals en route to a World Series appearance as he started to raise eyebrows during a stint in the Arizona Fall League. Though the minor league season is still in its early stages, Quinn has carried over that success to stints with the Phillies Single-A and Double-A affiliates. Here’s a snippet of a piece by John Finger of CSNPhilly.com on Quinn’s exploits to this point.

"But through his first seven games at Double A — his first stretch of games above Single A ball — Quinn is doing just that. After going 2 for 4 with two bunt singles, two runs, a walk, an RBI and three stolen bases, Quinn ignited Reading’s offense in a 6-0 victory over the Giants’ Double A club, Richmond on Friday night. That was actually an average night for Quinn through the early going of the 2015 season. After recovering from an Achilles injury that limited him to just 88 games for Single A Clearwater in 2014, Quinn hasn’t lost a step. Through seven games, the centerfielder converted from shortstop has seven stolen bases in eight attempts with 11 runs."

The key for Quinn as he continues to develop is to maintain the type of consistency that allows an organization to project him as an every-day, major league player. Jimmy Rollins is gone and Ben Revere hasn’t been able to do enough to fill his shoes as the team’s every day lead-off hitter or center fielder. In a perfect world, Quinn could eventually fulfill both of those needs for the Phillies down the road.

In evaluation terms, Quinn’s speed grades out as an 80 (highest possible grade). If numbers aren’t your thing, this is what 80 speed looks like:

Stand-up triples don’t happen very often, even at this level. In an era of baseball dominated by pitching and devoid of the long-ball dependent offenses of yore, the ability to manufacture offense is increasingly valuable. Quinn is greased lightning on the base path and can cover ground like no other in the outfield. It’s still too early in his career to pencil him in as the Phillies center fielder of the future. That being said, with a little consistency and long-term health, he is one of the most intriguing position prospects in the organization.