One of the top prospects in all of baseball is the Cincinnati Reds’ Billy Hamilton. Hamilton broke the single season stolen base record by swiping 155 bases. No, that isn’t a typo. 155 stolen bases in 132 games played. Hamilton, drafted in 2009, wasn’t so successful in his debut season. In his first season of professional baseball, Hamilton a line of .205/.253/.277 with 9 extra base hits and successfully stole 14 of 17 bases (82%).

Flash forward two seasons to the 2011 draft and the Phillies drafted high school prospect Roman Quinn, who was dubbed the fastest player in the draft, with the 66th overall selection. Quinn did not make his debut until the 2012 season, but it was a spectacular debut. Quinn posted a .281/.370/.408 line with 21 extra base hits and was 30 of 36 (83%) in the larceny department.

Granted Hamilton played in 23 fewer games in his debut season, but Quinn did do it at a higher level. Hamilton did fare significantly better in his second season at a similar level, but Quinn is definitely worth keeping an eye on going forward. Drafted as a shortstop, it seems as if Quinn’s future may be in center field. If Quinn can progress at a steady clip and remain healthy, the Phillies may have an improved version of Michael Bourn on their horizon.

Tags: Future Star, MikeH, Prospect, Roman Quinn, TSP