Reading's Quinn heating up, could be ready for next challenge

Roman Quinn, image- Jay Floyd

Double-A Reading center fielder Roman Quinn continued his recent hot streak with a 3-for-4 effort that included two doubles, a home run and four RBI in the team's 12-2 victory on the road against Portland on Wednesday.

In his last five contests, the 23-year-old switch-hitter has four multi-hit games and five extra-base hits.

Overall this season, Quinn sports a .284 average with seven doubles, four triples, three homers, 16 RBI and 24 stolen bases helping the Fightin Phils to a 35-18 record, which is tops in the Eastern League's Eastern division.

Speaking on his role as a catalyst for his team during a recent interview, Quinn shared his calm and simple outlook on helping his team.

"I'm just trying to do my job. I try to get on base and use my speed as much as possible and give the guys behind me a chance to drive me in," Quinn said.

With a pair of recent promotions coming from the Reading roster, as shortstop J.P. Crawford and righty pitcher Ben Lively moved up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Quinn could very well be in discussions to follow soon enough.

Moving up isn't necessarily among the top things in mind for the Florida native. Quinn's goal is more related to his health, as he's missed time in previous seasons with significant injuries such as a broken wrist, a ruptured Achiles tendon and a muscle tear in his hip region.

"I just want-- my main goal is to stay healthy and to play a full season, get a full season of at bats and whatever happens (in regards to a possible promotion) happens. The more at bats I get, the better I feel (with switch-hitting). Hopefully, I get a full season of at bats in and that would definitely help me out," Quinn stated.

This season his numbers from each side of the plate are nicely balanced.  Quinn sports a .300/.345/.380 slash line from the right side against lefties and from the left side against right-handers he has posted a .279/.365/.436 line.

The five-foot-10 170-pounder got a taste of higher levels during spring training this year and was happy to receive guidance from some more experienced players.

"This year, my first year in big league spring training a lot of guys actually took me under their wings and took time out to talk to me about the game and not showing up the umpires and everything like that.  It was a good experience, getting to see what the big leaguers live like," Quinn said.

In 11 spring training contests with the Phillies this spring, Quinn, who also displays excellent range on defense, performed like he belonged there, as he notched a .300 batting average with three triples, a home run, three RBI and two stolen bases.

Reaching the big leagues officially may be a couple steps away, but no matter which level he's playing at, look for Quinn to continue to be a standout contributor.