Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Quinn Priester Dominating Double-A

BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Quinn Priester #61 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Quinn Priester #61 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Since being promoted to Double-A Altoona, Pittsburgh Pirates 2019 first-round pick Quinn Priester has been dominant on the mound

With the 18th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester. Entering the draft Priester was viewed by many publications as arguably the best prep arm in the draft.

Few Pittsburgh Pirates prospects were hurt more by the COVID-19 pandemic than Priester. This led to the 2020 season, which should have been Priester’s first full professional season, being a lost season.

After Priester turned in a strong season with High-A Greensboro in 2021, Priester started the 2022 season on the injured list. After getting healthy Priester is now back on the mound, and dominating in his first taste of Double-A ball.

Since coming off the injured list Priester has made six starts for Double-A Altoona. In these six starts for the Curve, Priester has pitched 27.1 innings. He has posted a 1.65 ERA and a 2.41 FIP, while walking 6.5% of batters faced and striking out 27.1%. Since being promoted to Altoona, Priester has yet to allow a home run.

With Altoona, Priester has induced ground balls at a healthy 50.7% clip. He’s limited opposing batters to a line-drive rate of just 17.9%, while posting a 1.02 WHIP and an opponent batting average against of just .216.

Entering the season there were some concerns around Priester’s fastball. It was a pitch taht would lack movement, becoming hittable. This was causing Priester to fall down some prospect boards. His performance this season paired with questions about his stuff being answered, should lead to Priester once again ascending prospect rankings.

If Priester continues to pitch this well then he should earn a promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis before the end of the season. In fact, continuing this type of performance could earn Priester a promotions to the majors in September. Even if it is just the Roansy Contreras treatment of 2021 that sees Priester make one start with the Pirates. Regardless if he debuts this season or not, Priester is setting himself to join the Pirate starting rotation early in the 2023 season.

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