Quinn Priester seems like he has been transported from another generation in some regards.
The Pirates’ first-round draft pick did not specialize in one sport in high school. He has also never had a personal pitching coach. This right-hander from Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Ill., is just an old-fashioned athlete, though he is also a child of the Internet era.
“I just love to play,” Priester said.
Priester, 18, will get a chance to play professional baseball after the Pirates used the 18th overall selection on him Monday night in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He couldn’t be happier.
“We kind of had an idea in the back of our minds that Pittsburgh would be where I landed,” Priester said on a conference call. “I’m really, really excited to get drafted by the Pirates. They are team-first and big on developing players on and off the field. Off the field, especially, I thought was amazing. Through their minor-league system, they do a great job of developing high school guys and I’m excited to put a big emphasis on player development.”
The Pirates also made three other selections on the first night of the three-day draft, which you can read about here.
Priester draws high marks for his curveball, and his fastball averages 93 mph — a two seamer in the 90-92 range and a four-seamer that tops out at 97. He admits that his changeup is still in the rudimentary stages and is a pitch he will need to improve when he enters the pro ranks.
Here is some video of Priester:
first rounder Quinn Priester pic.twitter.com/ZDtoZvZgZT
— Matt Thompson (@mdthompFWFB) June 4, 2019
Priester, who's 6-foot-3, 200 pounders, had a 6-2 record with a 1.20 ERA this spring. He struck out 73 in 46 2/3 innings while allowing just 25 hits and 11 walks. He was the losing pitcher in the Class 6A state championship game Saturday.
He was named the 2018-19 Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year and a Rawlings Perfect Game Pre-Season All-American. He was also a wide receiver/defensive back on the Cary-Grove football team that went 14-0 last fall and won the state title.
“We believe Quinn is a good athlete consistently reaching solid to above-average stuff and the aptitude, arm action, athleticism and delivery to add,” Pirates senior director of amateur scouting Joe DelliCarri said in a statement released by the team. “We are confident that we are adding not only a quality pitcher, but also a quality young man who will add to our culture.”
The Pirates see Priester's two-sport background as a plus.
“He has body movements, baseball athleticism, that translates from football to baseball because of his pure athleticism,” DelliCarri said. “You can see that by watching him pitch, and also when he hits and runs the bases.”
Priester has been committed to play collegiately at Texas Christian University for more than two years but is expected to sign with the Pirates. The slot value for the No. 18 pick is $3,481,300, though Priester and the Pirates don’t have to agree to that price.
“It always had (been) my dream since (I was a) little kid and I never realized it would become a reality until maybe a year ago,” Priester said of playing pro ball. “Last year is when I could really focus and hone in on baseball. I realized baseball is what I love and what I’m passionate about. When I realized that, then I thought maybe the draft was an opportunity for me and I worked my butt off for it.”
Although Priester eschewed having a personal pitching coach, he spent many hours watching videos of various major-league pitchers on YouTube. He cites Jake Arrieta as his favorite pitcher and has studied others carefully, including Kyle Hendricks, Noah Syndergaard and Walker Buehler.
“I’d go watch them and think maybe I can try to learn this pitch, maybe I can learn how to use my lower half like they do,” Priester said. “To me, checking on slow-motion video. If I could pick up one thing to make myself better, then it was worth it. Now, I’m excited to have a more formal pitching coach and join an organization that develops pitchers so well.”
PERROTTO'S VIEW
As always, time will tell how well draft picks turn out, especially high school pitchers. However, Priester has plenty of upside and came across as mature and intelligent on the conference call.
