The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to call up pitching prospect Quinn Priester, according to a club official. Priester, who is ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the Pirates farm system, will join the team on Monday. The news was first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Here’s everything you need to know about Priester’s call-up.
Priester, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher, has been making waves in the minor leagues this season. He has a 7-3 record with a 4.31 ERA and a 1.357 WHIP with Triple-A Indianapolis. Despite some ups and downs, he has shown great potential and caught the attention of scouts and analysts.
In fact, Keith Law of The Athletic ranked Priester as the No. 64 prospect in baseball entering this season. This is a testament to his talent and the high expectations surrounding him. With his impressive arsenal of pitches, including a newly developed slider and curveball, Priester has been able to generate swings and misses at the Triple-A level.
However, there are still areas where Priester can improve. His changeup, for example, is not as effective as his other pitches. It lacks the necessary movement and he rarely throws it inside to left-handed batters. This has resulted in him giving up five of the six home runs he has allowed this season to lefties. It’s an area of his game that he will need to work on to become a more well-rounded pitcher.
Additionally, Priester’s control numbers have dipped this year. This can be partly attributed to the higher walk rates across Triple-A in 2023 due to the introduction of an automated ball-strike challenge system. It’s something he will need to address in order to consistently perform at a high level.
Despite these areas for improvement, Law believes that Priester has the potential to be a mid-rotation starter in the major leagues. If he can find a way to keep left-handed batters in check and refine his changeup, he could become a valuable asset for the Pirates.
Looking back at Priester’s journey, he was selected by the Pirates with the No. 18 pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. He quickly rose through the ranks and played for the Pirates’ High-A affiliate, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, during the 2021 season. He had an impressive record of 7-4 with a 3.02 ERA, which earned him a spot in the MLB All-Star Futures Game.
As Priester makes his way to the big leagues, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching his progress. The Pirates have high hopes for him, and his call-up is a significant step in his development as a professional pitcher.
In conclusion, Quinn Priester’s call-up to the Pittsburgh Pirates is an exciting development for both the team and the young pitcher. With his impressive repertoire of pitches and potential for growth, he has the opportunity to make a significant impact at the major league level. As he continues to refine his skills and gain experience, all eyes will be on Priester as he embarks on this new chapter in his baseball career.