PSJ's Quinn close to signing with Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies provided something of a recruiting trip this past week for Port St. Joe’s Roman Quinn.

Quinn, the Phillies’ second-round pick in June’s Major League Baseball amateur draft, spent three days in Philadelphia courtesy of the team.

He is the highest-drafted player ever to come out of Gulf County. Former high school stars Brian Jenkins from Port St. Joe and Brandon Jones of Wewahitchka were fifth- and sixth-round picks, respectively.

“It still hasn’t really sunk in yet, not really,” said Quinn, projected to become a shortstop.

Quinn said during his trip to Philadelphia he got to meet and mingle with the players, meet Manager Charlie Manual and even get on the field for some batting practice and to field a few ground balls.

“It’s was the greatest experience,” Quinn said. “It just made me want to get to where they were. The players and everybody treated me real well.

“I got to take batting practice at (Citizens Bank Ballpark) and hit two out, one from each side (of the plate). That felt really good.”

Quinn, who also signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Florida State University, said he’s been busy working out this summer while negotiating with the Phillies.

He wakes each day at 6 a.m. for a morning run and returns to the field with a trainer each evening for fielding drills and batting practice, he said.

“I’ve been working real hard all summer,” Quinn said. “The Phillies gave me tips on the right things to eat and about my workouts. I’ve been hard at it.”

Much of the Phillies’ focus this summer, he said, has been on coming to terms with their first-round pick, who was asking more than the Phillies were willing to pay.

Quinn added that he is slotted into a position where his contract would be well into six figures, likely in the range of $600,000.

Part of any deal, he added, would be a provision by which if Quinn chooses in three or four years not to continue his baseball career, the Phillies will pay for his schooling at the college of his choice.

“It’s a win-win for me,” Quinn said. “I’m very excited. It is a real blessing.”

There is an Aug. 15 deadline set by the Phillies for Quinn to sign a contract.

“We should be getting something going in the next couple of days or the next week or so,” Quinn said. “Right now I am leaning toward signing with the Phillies.”

If and when he signs, Quinn would report to Clearwater and the Gulf Coast League Phillies for fall rookie ball.

He said the Phillies have provided him a goal and the trip to Philadelphia served as reinforcement.

“It all depends on me, but they see me replacing (current shortstop) Jimmy Rollins in a few years,” Quinn said with a chuckle. “It’s all been a blessing.

“I’m very proud. I’m proud because I think I’ve worked hard for what I’ve got.”