The Pittsburgh Pirates selected RHP Quinn Priester (6-3, 200), a starting pitcher from Cary Grove (ILL) High School with the 18th overall pick of the 2019 MLB Draft. This marks the second time in three years the Pirates have selected a right handed high school pitcher, selecting Shane Baz with the 12th overall pick in 2017. Baz was traded to Tampa Bay in the Chris Archer trade last August.

Scouting Report on Priester via MLB Pipeline:

“Scouts love Priester’s athleticism and the ease of his arm action. His four-seam fastball can reach 97MPH with riding life, though his heavy two-seamer in the low 90’s may be even more effective because it gets exceptional horizontal and vertical movement. He also owns one of the better curveballs in the 2019 prep class.”