In his junior year in 1994, Quinlan reached base 86 consecutive times, garnering praise from newspapers around the country.

In 1999, Quinlan played third base for the Low-A Boise Hawks making the Short-Season All-Star team and being named the Northwest League's MVP.

Quinlan was promoted to Double-A Arkansas for 2001 and after a solid year, began 2002 with Triple-A Salt Lake as an outfielder.

Quinlan started 2003 in the minors with Triple-A Salt Lake, but after batting .310, he was called up to the majors where he spent the rest of the year.

In 2005, Quinlan, playing part-time, saw his batting average drop over 100 points to .231 and missed time with a bulging disk and inflamed shoulder.

Quinlan signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract before the 2007 season avoiding arbitration, but his batting average slumped again to .247.

[5] Quinlan signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies with an invitation to spring training for the 2011 season.

Tom and Robb Quinlan were part of the ownership group for the St. Croix River Hounds, a collegiate summer baseball team intended to play at Hudson, Wisconsin in the Northwoods League.