Roman Quinn

Roman Tredarian Quinn He came from an athletic family, with relatives who participated in track and field, baseball, and gridiron football. He attended Port St. Joe High School, playing on the same football team as future National Football League (NFL) player Calvin Pryor. He was a three-sport athlete, earning all-state honors and scoring an average of 20.6 points per game in basketball, serving as a return specialist and defensive back on the football team, and playing in center field for the baseball team. In 2011, during Quinn's senior year of high school, Baseball America named him the fastest man in their Top 200 pre-draft report; he had a 6.35-second 60-yard dash speed, and took an average of 4.20 seconds to run from home plate to first base. Quinn was also a strong hitter, with a .458 batting average, two home runs, and 20 runs batted in (RBIs) as a junior in 2010.

Professional career Philadelphia Phillies Minor leagues

The Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB) selected Quinn in the second round, 66th overall, of the 2011 MLB draft. Quinn had previously committed to play college baseball at Florida State University, but turned down the team's athletic scholarship to sign with the Phillies for a $775,000 signing bonus. Because he did not sign with the Phillies until the day before the MLB deadline for college-committed players, Quinn could not start playing professional baseball until the 2012 season. Quinn began his professional career in 2012 with the Low–A Williamsport Crosscutters of the New York–Penn League. Despite batting right-handed and playing in the outfield in high school, he became a switch hitter and a shortstop with the Crosscutters. Sports journalists in Williamsport took notice of Quinn's "put the ball on the ground and run" batting style and declared him the "Human Highlight Reel". Additionally, Quinn's 11 triples were the most in the New York–Penn League and in the Phillies organization.

Going into the 2013 season, Baseball America named Quinn the second-best prospect in the Phillies' farm system, and the 100th-best prospect in baseball. In 67 games for Lakewood, he boasted a .238 average, with 62 hits, five home runs, and 21 RBI in 260 at bats, as well as 32 stolen bases in 67 games. While playing with the Scottsdale Scorpions, Quinn was first in the league with 14 stolen bases and second in runs scored with 19. He was named both to the Top Prospects Team, selected by managers and coaches, and to the Fall Stars Game.

The following year, Quinn was assigned to the Double–A Reading Fightin Phils of the Eastern League. That July, he was one of four Reading players named to the Eastern League All-Star Classic. At the time, he led the Eastern League with 29 stolen bases and six triples, and was seventh in the MiLB with a .306 batting average. He did not end up playing in the game, however; on June 12, the day after an 18-inning game with Reading, a dehydrated and exhausted Quinn was injured in the second inning of a game with what was later diagnosed as a Grade 3 tear to his left hip flexor. He did not play for the rest of the season. On November 20, 2015, the Phillies added Quinn to their expanded 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He recorded four home runs, 15 RBI, and a .306 average in 257 plate appearances with Reading in 2015. Quinn recovered from the injury by October 15, the start of the Dominican Professional Baseball League season, and joined the Tigres del Licey. Quinn, alongside a number of fellow MLB prospects, helped take the Tigres to the Dominican League playoff series. He batted .212 with two home runs, seven RBI, and two triples in 99 at–bats, and eight stolen bases in 25 games. He went into the season with a desire to increase his on-field versatility by learning the other outfield positions. Once again, his season was hindered by injury: Quinn strained his abdominal oblique at the plate on June 4, and returned to the field prematurely ten days later. Because the injury was not healed when he began playing again, Quinn missed nearly two months of the season for additional recovery. He returned to the disabled list in August after being hit in the head during an attempted pickoff throw. In the injury-riddled season, Quinn finished the year with a .302 average with six home runs, 25 RBI, and 36 stolen bases in 77 games.

Major leagues

When the minor league season ended, Quinn was promoted to the Phillies' extended roster as a September call-up. He made his major league debut on September 11, 2016, playing in center field and batting second in the order against the Washington Nationals, and went 0–3 and drew a walk. The following day, in a home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Quinn hit two doubles, stole a base, drew a walk, and drove in two runs in a 6–2 victory. On September 27, Quinn left a game against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning with another oblique strain, ending his season early. In 15 major league games with the Phillies, he hit .263 with six RBI and five stolen bases in six attempts.

When asked about his plan for 2017, Quinn told reporters, "My goal is to stay healthy, man, just to be honest with you", and expressed his frustration at never playing a full season of baseball. Going into the season as Baseball America 's No. 8 prospect, Quinn was assigned to the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. While sliding into third base on May 28, Quinn suffered an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament, which kept him out for the remainder of the season. In 45 games with Lehigh, Quinn batted .274 with two home runs, 13 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. That May, Quinn tore a ligament in his right middle finger while diving into a base, and spent several weeks on the disabled list to recover from surgery. On July 27, 2018, after his rehabilitation process, Quinn was recalled to the Phillies to be used as a pinch runner or pinch hitter. Three days later, manager Gabe Kapler chose to give Quinn the start over right fielder Nick Williams for a game against the Boston Red Sox. In the first game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets on August 16, Quinn and fellow position player Scott Kingery were required to pitch the final innings of a 24–4 loss when the team ran out of available relief pitchers. His first major league home run came on August 21, against Nationals pitcher Matt Grace. In September, Quinn suffered a "very, very small" fracture to his right pinky toe, but was expected to play through the end of the season. Quinn finished the season with a .260 average, including two home runs and 12 RBI, in 131 at–bats, as well as 10 stolen bases in 50 games. He returned to the team after recovering from the injury, and successfully stole home plate in the third inning of a 2–1 loss to the Miami Marlins. On July 16, when Yacksel Ríos allowed three extra-base hits and hit Justin Turner with a pitch, Quinn was called to pitch the final outs of a 16–2 loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Quinn was called to pitch again on August 3, when a game against the Chicago White Sox bled into 15 innings. He pitched a scoreless 14th inning before the Phillies eventually fell 4–3. That day, Quinn became the first Phillies position player since 1961 to make at least three career pitching appearances for the team, as well as the first major league player to record three hits, two stolen bases, and an appearance on the mound in the same game since George Sisler in 1920. He did not play again that season. On August 25, while playing the Nationals, both Quinn and left fielder Andrew McCutchen stole second base twice, leading to a season-high four stolen bases in one game for the Phillies. Quinn repeated the feat on September 5, stealing two bases against the Mets. In the sixth inning of that same game, Quinn crashed into the outfield wall while chasing a fly ball, and was placed on concussion protocols. On September 21, Quinn and manager Joe Girardi were both ejected from a game against the Nationals after arguing with home plate umpire Junior Valentine on a called third strike. In the 2020 season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Quinn played in 41 out of 60 games, collecting two home runs, seven RBI, and 12 stolen bases, as well as a .213 average. On March 30, Herrera was cut from the team, giving Quinn and prospect Adam Haseley the opportunity to alternate in center field. On May 26, while attempting to round third base in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Quinn collapsed on the turf, falling again when he crossed home plate. An MRI confirmed that Quinn had ruptured his Achilles tendon, and the recovery period was expected to be nine to twelve months. He appeared in 28 games before his season-ending injury, recording a .173 average, two RBI, and four stolen bases in 52 at bats, while on defense he had a 1.000 fielding percentage with two assists.

On March 12, 2022, the Miami Marlins signed Quinn to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. However, on April 9, the Phillies signed Quinn to a minor league contract. He was promoted to the club's major league roster on April 25, after Bryson Stott was optioned to Triple–A. Quinn was designated for assignment on June 1. At the time, he had batted .162 and struck out 15 times in 40 plate appearances. On June 5, Quinn elected free agency after rejecting an outright assignment to Lehigh Valley.

Kansas City Royals On June 8, 2022, Quinn signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals. On July 18, Quinn was released shortly after being placed on the injured list.

Tampa Bay Rays On July 21, 2022, Quinn signed a major league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 21 games for the Rays, he batted .262/.340/.405 with no home runs and four RBI. On November 10, Quinn was removed from the 40-man roster, and subsequently elected free agency.

Cleveland Guardians On January 4, 2023, Quinn signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. The deal included an invitation to the Guardians' major league spring training camp. He played in 15 games for the Triple–A Columbus Clippers, hitting just .177/.391/.235 with no home runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases. On May 9, Quinn was released by the Guardians organization.

Milwaukee Brewers On May 24, 2023, Quinn signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Quinn hit a feeble .121/.275/.152 with no home runs, three RBI and five stolen bases in 10 games for the Triple–A Nashville Sounds. He was released by Milwaukee on June 19.

Colorado Rockies On July 29, 2023, Quinn signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies organization. In 23 games for the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, he batted .219/.326/.397 with two home runs, 15 RBI, and nine stolen bases. On September 14, Quinn was released by Colorado.

Following his release from the Rockies organization, Quinn retired from professional baseball.

Coaching career On February 12, 2025, Quinn was hired by the Atlanta Braves to serve as a coach for their rookie-level affiliate, the Florida Complex League Braves.

Player profile

Quinn, shorter than many of his teammates at and known for his speed while running the bases, drew early comparisons to retired Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

Like many hitters with his speed, Quinn is a switch hitter. The Phillies signed Quinn as a right-handed hitter out of high school, but he used a delay between signing and playing with the team during the 2011–12 offseason to learn how to bat from both sides.

Personal life Quinn married his girlfriend, Jenifer McLemore, on January 27, 2018. The couple has one daughter, Londyn Gabriella, born on July 8, 2014, and two sons, Khailan Grey (b. February 7, 2019) and Oaklan Gabriel (b. October 19, 2020).