Phillies’ Roman Quinn likely to see Grapefruit League action at shortstop

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Versatility is one of the many things new Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler is looking for out of his players throughout the 2018 season.

With the apparent logjam at first base among Carlos Santana, Rhys Hoskins and Tommy Joseph, Kapler is already making it a point to provide Joseph with ground ball reps at third base during drills, so he could potentially see playing time at the position this season in place of Maikel Franco.

Another player receiving similar treatment is outfielder Roman Quinn, who is partaking in individual drills at shortstop this spring training. While Joseph never played at the hot corner before in his career, Quinn has previously played at shortstop, most recently in 17 games and 151 1/3 innings with the the Advanced-A affiliate Clearwater Threshers in 2014.

Kapler has said that Quinn could see action at shortstop during Grapefruit League play this spring, "just to see if he can play there in a pinch," according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb.

The Port St. Joe, Florida native was drafted out of high school as a shortstop in the second round of the 2011 amateur draft. The organization soon changed Quinn's position to outfield, however, after committing a combined 61 errors over 149 games and 622 chances at the position with Williamsport, Lakewood and Clearwater between 2012-2014. As an outfielder, Quinn has committed only 21 errors combined, between minor and major-league play, spanning 261 games and 644 chances.

Four years later, with Quinn's future with the club as an everyday starting outfielder in doubt — being fifth on the depth chart behind Rhys Hoskins, Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams — it appears the 24-year-old will get one more look at the shortstop position under Kapler.


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Quinn has struggled to see significant playing time in the majors thus far through his six-year professional career, all within the Phillies' organization. His only big league experience came in 2016, when he batted .263/.373/.333 with four doubles and six RBIs in 15 games and 69 plate appearances. Quinn was largely injured most of last season after sustaining an ulnar collateral ligament injury to his non-throwing elbow with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs in early June.

Quinn was the club's 11th-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com in 2017, the seventh-ranked in 2015 and 2016, fourth-ranked in 2014, third-ranked in 2013 and 11th-ranked in 2012.

Being under club control through the 2022 season, it appears the Phillies have not given up yet on the switch-hitter. If all goes well playing at shortstop this spring, Quinn might propel himself into a utility role on the club's Opening Day roster come March 29 in Atlanta.

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