Failed Pirates prospect returns to NL Central in surprising Red Sox-Brewers trade

A former first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates who was dealt at last year's trade deadline has already been flipped once again – this time, to one of their National League Central Division rivals.

The Boston Red Sox on Monday traded former Pirates right-hander Quinn Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league outfielder Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A selection in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The Pirates traded Priester, the No. 18 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, to the Red Sox last season in a swap of former first-rounders that sent infielder Nick Yorke (No. 17 overall pick in 2020) to Pittsburgh. Priester has made one start for Triple-A Worcester this season, allowing two runs in four innings of work on April 3 in Jacksonville. The 24-year-old has a rather unimpressive 4.16 ERA at the Triple-A level dating back to 2023, but that is offset by strong underlying numbers that include a 25.8% strikeout rate and 8.5% walk rate.

In the immediate term, the Red Sox appear to be the clear winners in the trade with the Brewers. Rodriguez is ranked as Milwaukee's No. 7 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and is batting .417 with three runs, a double and a triple through three games with High-A Wisconsin this season. He is a career .254 hitter with 37 doubles, nine triples, 13 home runs, 96 runs scored, 96 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 165 games in Milwaukee's minor league system.

Former Pirates' first-round pick Quinn Priester returns to NL Central in surprising Red Sox-Brewers trade

Despite his pedigree, Priester has yet to live up to his top prospect status at the big league level. He has recorded a 6.23 ERA in 21 career Major League games (15 starts) with the Pirates (2023-24) and Red Sox (2024).

Priester will now join the Brewers' active MLB roster in the wake of Nestor Cortés landing on the injured list with a flexor strain in his throwing elbow. The southpaw represents the latest in a series of injuries to hit Milwaukee's pitching staff, including Tobias Myers, Aaron Ashby, Brandon Woodfruff and Aaron Civale.

The Pirates won't see Priester and the Brewers until May 22-25, when they host their NL Central rivals for a four-game series at PNC Park.

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