Gabriel Quintana

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #16 prospect in 2014
  Signed at age 16 out of the Dominican Republic in 2009, Quintana didn't blow away the Padres during his tryout, though he did have evident leverage in his swing and a sturdy frame with room to add muscle mass. He began to show San Diego the player they had envisioned with his play in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2012, batting .291/.337/.483 with 17 extra-base hits in 37 games. That showing earned Quintana a ticket to low Class A Fort Wayne for 2013, and he quickly earned admirers with his plus bat speed, loose actions and propensity for loud contact. He missed a month and a half at midseason with a broken hand after being hit with a pitch, but when he returned, Quintana hit .344 with 11 extra-base hits over his final 35 games. He has impact potential with the bat, profiling as a third baseman who can hit for average and power, but his over-anxiousness at the plate was apparent with nine times as many strikeouts as walks. Though he has present strength, he's not quite done filling out yet. Quintana throws well, but he probably won't win any Gold Gloves with fringe-average range and fielding ability. The Padres want him to use his legs while fielding grounders, not simply bend at the waist. Quinatana could be a breakout star in 2014 when he tackles high Class A Lake Elsinore.