During MLB Pipeline’s reveal of its top 100 prospects, Pirates right-hander Quinn Priester made one of the biggest leaps of any player, going from being unranked to 52nd overall.
According to Jim Callis, the senior writer of the outlet, he could make another leap this season, possibly towards the top of the list.
On Monday, Callis wrote that scouts have told him that Priester could emerge as the best pitching prospect in baseball this year:
No player has received more love based on his instructs performance this fall than Priester. I've had some scouts tell me they think he could emerge as the best pitching prospect in baseball in 2021. @Pirates #Top100Prospects https://t.co/o5FT5chxbS
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) February 1, 2021
The Pirates are expected to add a top-of-the-line pitcher during the amateur draft in July, with Vanderbilt pitchers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter expected to be the favorites to be selected first overall by the club. Having a second young ace in the making would make a huge impact for a rebuilding club.
The 20-year-old Priester was selected 18th overall in the 2019 amateur draft. He was the team’s only pitching prospect to crack the top 100, joining third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (No. 9), second baseman Nick Gonzales (No. 43) and shortstop Oneil Cruz (No. 64).
He was invited to the Pirates’ alternate training site towards the end of camp during September and then turned heads in the instructional league in October. He has a mid-90s power sinker, a plus-curveball and a developing changeup.
Steve Givarz took video of Priester in the instructional camp, which he shared on Youtube:
Depending on how the Pirates want to proceed with him after a year of no minor-league games, he is expected to reach the Majors in either 2023 or 2024.
To add, I have heard some high praise for Priester over the past few months, but nothing to the level Callis has. Like the other recent high draft picks in the system -- Brennan Malone, Carmen Mlodzinski and Jared Jones -- this will be a big year for his development.