Quinn Priester

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Quinn Priester

|image = Quinn Priester (53046852914) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Priester with the Indianapolis Indians in 2023

|team = Milwaukee Brewers

|width =

|number = 46

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|9|15}}

|birth_place = Glendale Heights, Illinois, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutdate = July 17

|debutyear = 2023

|debutteam = Pittsburgh Pirates

|debutleague = MLB

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = July 4, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 12–11

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 5.03

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 134

|teams =

Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2024}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

}}

Charles Quinn Priester (born September 15, 2000) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox. He was selected by the Pirates in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2023.

Amateur career

Priester attended Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Illinois. He played baseball and football, and was a member of the 2018 Cary-Grove football team that won the 6A state championship. He also caught a touchdown pass in the championship game.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/high-school/ct-spt-6a-cary-grove-crete-monee-20181124-story.html|title=Cary-Grove grinds its way to the Class 6A title with defeat of Crete-Monee 35-13|first=Mike|last=Clark|website=Chicagotribune.com|date=November 24, 2018 }} In 2019, as a senior, he had a 8–2 win–loss record with a 1.00 earned run average (ERA), striking out 91 batters in {{fraction|60|1|3}} innings pitched. He was named the Illinois Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.nwherald.com/2019/06/03/cary-groves-quinn-priester-fired-up-after-being-selected-18th-overall-in-mlb-draft/afd5kfj/|title=Cary-Grove's Quinn Priester 'fired up' after being selected 18th overall in MLB Draft|first=Sean|last=Hammond|website=Nwherald.com}}{{cite web|url=https://lastwordonbaseball.com/2019/06/03/quinn-priester-2019-mlb-draft-profile/|title=Quinn Priester Draft Profile|first=Jared|last=Cantatore|date=June 3, 2019|website=Lastwordonbaseball.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nwherald.com/2019/05/23/cary-groves-priester-named-gatorade-illinois-baseball-player-of-the-year/aqky4wc/|title=Cary-Grove's Priester named Gatorade Illinois Baseball Player of the Year|first=J. O. E.|last=Stevenson|website=Nwherald.com}} He committed to play college baseball at Texas Christian University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/top-illinois-2019-mlb-draft-prospects/|title=Top Illinois 2019 MLB Draft Prospects|website=Baseballamerica.com|date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=February 10, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2019-mlb-draft-prospects-from-every-state|title=Here's the best Draft prospect from each state|website=MLB.com}}

Professional career

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Priester in the first round, with the 18th overall selection, in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Pirates on June 10 for $3.4 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2019/06/10/Pirates-sign-first-round-pick-Quinn-Priester-pitcher-TCU-MLB-draft/stories/201906100123|title=Pirates sign their first-round pick, Quinn Priester|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} After signing, he was assigned to the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Pirates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/top-prospects-get-underway-in-short-season-leagues|title=Top draftees, prospects begin short-season play|website=MLB.com}} Over nine games (eight starts) in the GCL, he went 1–1 with a 3.19 ERA, striking out 41 over {{fraction|36|1|3}} innings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-quinn-priester-makes-grapefruit-league-debut/|title = Pirates' Quinn Priester: Makes Grapefruit League debut|website=Cbssports.com| date=March 16, 2021 }} He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/06/30/minor-league-baseball-season-canceled-2020-coronavirus|title=2020 Minor League Baseball Season Canceled|first=Jenna|last=West|website=Si.com|date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=February 10, 2022}}

Priester spent the 2021 season with the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers with whom he went 7–4 with a 3.04 ERA and 98 strikeouts over {{fraction|97|2|3}} innings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2021/12/09/Pirates-Quinn-Priester-prospect-development-pitcher-don-t-think-just-throw-Thomas-Solometo/stories/202112090175|title=As fellow prospects watch and marvel, Quinn Priester content to keep his head down and work|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=February 10, 2022}} In June, he was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-futures-game-rosters|title = Futures Game rosters are STACKED|website = MLB.com}}

Priester split the 2022 season between the Single-A Bradenton Marauders, Greensboro, Double-A Altoona Curve, and Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. In 19 starts between the four affiliates, he accumulated a 5–5 record and 3.29 ERA with 89 strikeouts across {{fraction|90|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Misleading Stat Behind Quinn Priester's Poor Start to the 2023 season|url=https://rumbunter.com/posts/pittsburgh-pirates-prospects-misleading-stat-behind-quinn-priester-s-poor-start-to-the-2023-season|access-date=March 30, 2024|website=rumbunter.com|date=May 3, 2023 |language=en}}

In 2023, Priester began the season with Indianapolis. In 18 starts, he registered a 7–3 record and 4.31 ERA with 84 strikeouts in {{fraction|87|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Quinn Priester: Contract officially selected|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-quinn-priester-contract-officially-selected/|access-date=July 18, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=July 17, 2023 |language=en}} On July 17, 2023, Priester was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{Cite web |date=July 17, 2023 |title=Rodríguez, Priester debut in 1st for Bucs since '43 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38026260/endy-rodriguez-quinn-priester-set-pirates-debuts |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}} He made his MLB debut that day as the starting pitcher against the Cleveland Guardians; in {{fraction|5|1|3}} innings, he allowed 7 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts, earning the loss.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Quinn Priester: Stumbles in debut|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-quinn-priester-stumbles-in-debut/|access-date=July 18, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=July 18, 2023 |language=en}} In 10 games (8 starts) during his rookie campaign, Priester struggled to a 7.74 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 50 innings pitched.

Priester was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the 2024 season after he was beat out by Jared Jones for the final rotation spot.{{cite web | last=Mackey | first=Jason | title=Following stellar springs, Henry Davis and Jared Jones will join Pirates for opening day in Miami | website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=March 25, 2024 | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2024/03/25/pirates-henry-davis-jared-jones-opening-day-roster-impressive-springs/stories/202403240104 | access-date=February 9, 2025}} He was called up to the major leagues in April and pitched to a 2–6 record and 5.04 ERA across {{fraction|44|2|3}} innings. In 10 appearances (6 starts), he allowing 52 hits, 25 earned runs, seven home runs, and 13 walks, while recording 31 strikeouts.{{cite web | last=Campbell | first=Dominic | title=Pirates Trade Quinn Priester to Red Sox | website=SI.com | date=July 29, 2024 | url=https://www.si.com/mlb/pirates/news/pittsburgh-pirates-trade-quinn-priester-boston-red-sox | access-date=February 9, 2025}}

=Boston Red Sox=

On July 29, 2024, the Pirates traded Priester to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Nick Yorke.{{cite news |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2024/07/29/ben-cherington-pirates-trade-rumors/stories/202407230127 |title=Pirates trade Quinn Priester to Red Sox for infield prospect Nick Yorke |first=Andrew |last=Destin |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=July 29, 2024 |accessdate=July 29, 2024}} He was subsequently assigned to Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, the Worcester Red Sox.{{Cite web |last=Cotillo |first=Chris |date=August 4, 2024 |title=New Red Sox pitcher ‘not a prospect’ but excited for tweaks to reach potential |url=https://masslive.com/redsox/2024/08/new-red-sox-pitcher-not-a-prospect-but-excited-for-tweaks-to-reach-potential.html |access-date=August 5, 2024 |website=masslive |language=en}} Priester started Boston's season finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing one run on four hits with two strikeouts across five innings pitched.

Priester was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox option right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester to Minor League Camp|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-red-sox-option-right-handed-pitcher-quinn-priester-to-minor-league-camp|access-date=March 28, 2025|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On April 7, 2025, Priester was traded by the Red Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor-league outfielder Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round selection in the 2025 MLB draft, and a player to be named later (or cash considerations).{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/04/07/red-sox-trade-rhp-quinn-priester-for-draft-pick-prospect/ |title=Red Sox trade RHP Quinn Priester for draft pick, prospect |first=Mac |last=Cerullo |website=Boston Herald |date=April 7, 2025 |accessdate=April 7, 2025}} On May 5, John Holobetz was sent to Boston as the PTBNL.{{Cite news |first=Steve |last=Adams |date=2025-05-05 |title=Brewers Trade John Holobetz To Red Sox, Completing Quinn Priester Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/brewers-trade-ptbnl-red-sox-quinn-priester-john-holobetz.html |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} Beginning in mid-May, Priester strung together an eight-game stretch where he had an ERA of 2.23, a walk rate of 5.6%, and a groundball rate of 60%.{{Cite news |first=Ryan |last=Herrera |date=June 15, 2025 |title=Brewers saw something in Priester; now it's evident to all |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/quinn-priester-sharp-again-for-brewers-in-finale-vs-cardinals |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |first=Curt |last=Hogg |title=Suddenly, the Brewers' trade for Quinn Priester isn't looking quite so controversial anymore |date=June 15, 2025 |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2025/06/15/brewers-have-turned-quinn-priester-into-strong-pitcher-since-trade/84183581007/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}} This success was such that when the Brewers promoted the high-end starting pitcher prospect Jacob Misiorowski on June 12, they traded the veteran Aaron Civale instead of using Priester's minor league option.