Welcome to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Quinn Priester.
Monday, the Pirates announced Priester, a 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher, signed with the team, officially closing the door on his college career and bringing him into the professional ranks.
Priester, 18, had originally committed to play at TCU before being selected by the Pirates 18th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft.
“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 after the draft. “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.”
Priester was ranked by MLBPipeline as the 19th best player in this year's draft and was the 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois. As a senior at Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Ill., Priester put up an 8-2 record while posting a 1.00 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 60.1 innings of play.
“Today we share in Quinn’s great enthusiasm in bringing him into the Pirates organization,” Pirates Senior Director of Scouting Joe DelliCarri said. “Quinn’s very high level of character, his competitive makeup, and abilities should serve him very well for years to come. Our development staff is already very excited to share in Quinn’s journey in becoming the best person and player he can become.”
Priester will begin his professional career with the Gulf Coast Pirates, the Pirates' North Division Gulf Coast League Rookie Level minor league baseball affiliate in Bradenton, Fla.
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