Padres Claim OF Quintin Berry Off Waivers From Phillies

The Padres have claimed speedy 25-year-old Double-A outfielder Quintin Berry off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Berry, a lefthanded hitter, went to San Diego State, so the Padres are no doubt hoping he’ll be energized in the San Diego organization.

Berry is in the Cedric Hunter/Luis Durango mold of powerless but speedy Padres outfielders. He had 55, 51, and 48 steals in 2007-09, and was 23-for-29 on the bases this year. He’s never hit more than five homers in a season, though.

Berry hit .266/.355/.335 last year in Double-A, and has slumped to .210/.312/.294 this year. It looks like a real head-scratcher to pick him up with those numbers, but it’s worth noting that his struggles are largely due to a .259 BABIP, wildly below his .331 career mark. Berry is good for about 60 walks and 110 K’s a year. That’s a few too many strikeouts for a speed guy with little power, but it’s nice to see that he knows his role is to work the count.

Berry will slide in to the 40-man roster spot vacated by right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher, who was designated for assignment and later traded to Pittsburgh earlier this month. He has some interesting skills, but looks a long shot to be of much use in the majors. Still, the Padres had a 40-man spot open, and it’s unlikely someone else would claim Berry if the DFA him themselves, so why not?

Berry will report to Double-A San Antonio.