The Royals claimed outfielder Quintin Berry off waivers from the Tigers, announced the team on Twitter. The Royals optioned Berry to Triple-A Omaha; it's unknown where his 40-man roster spot will come from once Salvador Perez is activated from bereavement. Berry had been designated for assignment by the Tigers on Sunday upon their re-acquisition of outfielder Francisco Martinez.
Berry, 28, was drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round in 2006, a round which also produced big leaguers Jeff Samardzija and Chris Davis, among others. He bounced around various organizations until hooking on with the Tigers before the 2012 season. That was his rookie campaign, and he posted a .258/.330/.354 line in 330 plate appearances while playing all three outfield positions. This year at Triple-A, he's limped to a .168/.278/.234 line in 199 plate appearances.
Prior to the 2009 season, Baseball America ranked Berry 25th among Phillies prospects, right after Jarred Cosart and John Mayberry, Jr. and ahead of Trevor May. BA said Berry was a speedster with slightly above-average center field defense, with his offensive ceiling limited by his lack of power.
