People will say Roman Quinn is an unlikely candidate to make the Cleveland Guardians 26-man roster, but the truth is, Quinn has never played more than 50 games, never had more than 131 at bats in a season (back in 2018 with the Phillies). So, the verdict is still out on what his ceiling is as a player, especially if his early Spring Training power surge is indicative of his approach at the plate going forward.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder from Port St. Joe, Florida, is somewhat unimposing, but you can no longer call him “light-hitting” as esteemed baseball writer and longtime Tampa Rays reporter Marc Topkin did back in November after Quinn cleared outright waivers to become a free agent.
Mighty Quinn
He’s making the most of his non-roster invitee opportunity after signing a minor league deal in January with three homers, three runs scored and six RBI in 11 at-bats so far this Spring. The homer total ties him with five other players for the league lead through the first week or so of games. One of those players is MLBbro bomber Jordan Walker, who has dazzled in his first games of Cactus League play.
Quinn laid waste to pitchers in a 12-4 win over the Cubs, going 2-for-3 with a pair of homers and five RBI. Quinn will have to keep mashing and playing a stellar outfield because he has some stiff competition, including young sensation Will Brennen who is already a fan favorite from last season’s late call up.
His early production hasn’t gone unnoticed by manager Terry Francona.
“Obviously, he feels good about himself,” Tito said. “And he’s taking some really good swings.”
Injuries Have Hampered Talented MLBbro
Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft, Quinn broke into the league in 2016 and was a utility player for six years on a train up and down from the show to the minors. He landed with Tampa Bay during the 2022 season. A knee bruise hindered his progress there, but now he’s leaving quite the impression on a Guardians team that can use another multi-dimensional baller with a hunger for success and sticking and staying at the MLB level.
Quinn played in just 44 games between the Phillies and Rays in 2022 and posted a .215/.287/.304 slash line in 87 plate appearances, with 15 runs scored and four stolen bases. In addition to the knee injury in 2022, he had a nasty Achilles rupture in 2021.
Torreyes ties it up 2-2 for the Phils, but Roman Quinn comes up limp on his way to home plate: pic.twitter.com/hc4OyM3stP
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 29, 2021
Quinn’s also had a torn quad, a torn ligament in his middle finger, a finger contusion, a strained ligament in his elbow, an oblique strain, a groin strain, a broken toe, and a concussion. Now fully healthy, he can show what kind of asset he can be for a team.
Quinn probably won’t be an everyday starter for a team with playoff aspirations, but he’s definitely an intriguing bench piece. Quinn’s game is predicated on his speed and elite athleticism, having stolen double-digit bases twice in his career. This Bro can also go get it in the outfield. With just eight career homers, some might consider Quinn’s recent explosion a fluke. But like they say, for some players the power comes later. At 29 years old, Quinn is in tune with his body and capabilities – and what will make him an asset to an MLB club.
All Betts Are Off For LA Outfielder As Slump Continues
Mookie Betts’ numbers do not resemble those from years past, and his struggles are becoming more noticeable. This season through 45 games, Betts is batting .247 with 44 hits, 18 RBIs, and 27 runs.
Seems like good numbers, right?
Well not if you are familiar with the back of this former MVP’s baseball card.
Betts led the Dodgers to their first World Series Championship in 32 years during the 2020 pandemic-shortened season, where he batted .292 with 64 hits, 47 runs, and 39 RBIs in only 55 games.
His success garnered him a second-place finish in the National League MVP race, while also earning him a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award. Don’t forget his elite performance against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he homered to open the series in Game 1 and to close the series in Game 6.
It’s still early in the season, but Betts is moving past the slow start zone into “down year” territory.
What Happened?
Fans point to his new vegan diet as the culprit to his struggles.
For those clamoring for an explanation, blame it on father time.
Betts appeared in 145 or more games in four of his previous five seasons. That’s called wear and tear on the body. Adding insult to injury is just that, injuries!
In April, he missed four games due to back discomfort. Then he took an upper 90s mile per hour fastball to the inside of his elbow, which left him writhing in pain.
Don’t forget about the unfortunate two-ball tag that left men cringing across the globe.
Over the weekend, Betts missed two of three games due to discomfort in his left shoulder, which he later confirmed after telling the media that the injury has been bothering him throughout the month of May, but that is not the reason for his poor performance as sometimes you do not play well.
He told the Los Angeles Times, “I have shown that I can play at those high expectations and live by them. I am not mad at it by any means, as I do not mind expectations. It does not scare me at all.”
Billy Hamilton Showing That His Wheels & Wood Are Still Active
Billy The Slid put on a show this past weekend as he hit home runs in consecutive games to help his Chicago White Sox sweep the Baltimore Orioles.
After flexing his newfound power, the grizzled young veteran displayed his wheels in childlike fashion Tuesday night, with an inside-the-park home run.
His double off the wall tied the game at 2-2, and then Hamilton turned on the jets to take the lead with a headfirst slide. The catcher for Cleveland lost the ball when trying to apply the tag.
Later, the play got penciled in as a double and an advance to third base on a bad throw and a run scored on an error. It was electrifying nonetheless.
However, you word the play, it was still impressive.
The guy has always been the prototypical centerfielder whose speed can cover all sorts of range while also going from base to base in a millisecond. Problem is, he couldn’t reach base.
Baseball insiders have always created the narrative that if Hamilton could figure it out at the plate and get on base more, he would take his current team to the next level and his performance is proving everyone right as the Chicago White Sox are leading the American League Central Division at 33-22.
Hamilton’s resurgence has contributed to his changed persona as he is going from “Billy the blur” to “Billy bats” through two months of play. If he can keep this production up, then those dreams of bringing another World Series Championship to the Southside of Chicago will soon come to fruition.
Roman Quinn Out For The Season With Ruptured Achilles
Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Roman Quinn will undergo surgery this week on his left Achilles tendon. His expected recovery time ranges from nine to 12 months per source.
Torreyes ties it up 2-2 for the Phils, but Roman Quinn comes up limp on his way to home plate: pic.twitter.com/hc4OyM3stP
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 29, 2021
It seems the 28-year-old suffered the apparent injury as he was rounding third base. After falling to the ground, he showed the heart of a champion by hopping on one leg to score the tying run on May 29 vs. the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
With a skillset predicated on speed and agility, seeing him go down in that manner is heartbreaking as this is the second time he has suffered an Achilles tear, with the first tear taking place on his right side back in 2013.
His injury history, including both Achilles, reads like a laundry list.
He had a torn quad, a torn ligament in his middle finger, a finger contusion, a strained ligament in his elbow, an oblique strain, a groin strain, a broken toe, and a concussion, to name a few.
The speedy switch hitter through 28 games was averaging .173 with four stolen bases and two RBIs. In 512 career plate appearances, he is batting.228/,306/.355.
While wishing you a speedy recovery, we at MLBbro.com look forward to seeing Quinn back on the diamond in no time.
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