The MLB Draft is a special time for teams and players alike. Teams use this time to restock their farm systems and find talented players that will help the organization for years to come. For the player, it is a memorable day like none other. The dream of playing in MLB becomes much more realistic once a player’s name is called. One such player hoping to be selected in the 2019 draft is pitcher Quinn Priester.
Quinn Priester 2019 MLB Draft Profile
Priester is a right-handed starting pitcher that played for Cary-Grove High School. He was awarded the 2018-2019 Gatorade Illinois Baseball Player of the Year. Priester has a power arm with his four-seam fastball hitting 95 and his two-seamer regarded as his best pitch hitting the high 80’s. His curveball is what scouts call an 11-5 curve. This is when the movement is more horizontal than vertical. So, in theory, it is more likely to miss inside or outside instead of the normal up and down.
Priester who has committed to Texas Christian University has never been coached. Instead, he has refined his skills by trial and error and also using the Elite Baseball Training’s technology. This program utilizes video and data to make adjustments. There is no telling how good Priester can be once he gets professional coaching.
Strengths
Priester’s career numbers are staggering. In 88.1 innings pitched, Priester had a 1.11 ERA with 127 strikeouts and a .154 batting average against. His curveball has already been described as one of the best of the 2019 prep class. It projects to be an out pitch for both left and right-handed hitters. Priester also has great control which has contributed to his rise this season.
Priester is a great athlete as he was the quarterback before switching to tight end and defensive back for his championship high school football team. With a 6’3 frame, he has plenty of room to grow into a stronger player. His athleticism and intelligence fuel the idea he will get better as he gets older. Priester is a cold weather arm that projects out to be a two or three starter in the majors. So Priester is regarded as having a very high ceiling.
Weaknesses
Priester does have a changeup in his arsenal but it needs work. His two-seam fastball is inconsistent in the strike zone at times. He has struggled to maintain his velocity during the course of a game. This would explain his dominance for the first three or four innings of his starts and how he becomes more hittable as the game plays on. He will need to add another pitch to his repertoire.
For all of his skill and attributes he has never truly been coached and he won’t be rushed to the majors. While not considered a true project he is estimated to reach the majors by the earliest by the 2023 season.
Quinn Priester MLB Comparisons
Priester has a skill set that is comparable to Josh Beckett. Maybe not comparable to the absolute best of Beckett’s seasons but certainly closer to his typical ones. An average season for Beckett is 14 wins with an ERA of 3.88 and 194 strikeouts. This comparison can change as the previously uncoached Priester starts to work with major league caliber coaches.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
