A former first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates has been on the move again. Right-hander, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline, has now been dealt once more—this time to a National League Central rival.
On Monday, the Red Sox traded Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, and either a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Priester, the 18th overall pick in the 2019 draft, was originally sent to Boston last season in a deal that brought fellow former first-rounder Nick Yorke (17th overall in 2020) to Pittsburgh.
The 24-year-old righty has made one start for Triple-A Worcester this season, giving up two runs over four innings on April 3 in Jacksonville. While his Triple-A ERA sits at 4.16 dating back to 2023, his solid strikeout (25.8%) and walk (8.5%) rates suggest more promise than the surface stats show.
At least in the short term, Boston seems to have come out ahead in this deal. Rodriguez, Milwaukee’s No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has gotten off to a red-hot start in 2025, batting .417 with a double, a triple, and three runs scored through three games at High-A Wisconsin.
Over 165 minor league games, the 20-year-old outfielder has compiled a .254 batting average, 37 doubles, nine triples, 13 homers, 96 RBI, 96 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases.
Time will tell how this trade pans out, but Boston is betting on upside, while Milwaukee adds pitching depth with a once highly regarded arm.
Former Pirates’ first-round pick Quinn Priester returns to NL Central in surprising Red Sox-Brewers trade
Despite his first-round pedigree, Quinn Priester has yet to find consistent success at the Major League level. Over 21 career appearances (15 starts) with the Pirates and Red Sox between 2023 and 2024, the 24-year-old right-hander has posted a 6.23 ERA, falling short of the expectations that once made him a top prospect in Pittsburgh’s system.
Priester will now get another shot with the Milwaukee Brewers, who are adding him to their active MLB roster following news that left-hander Nestor Cortés is headed to the injured list with a flexor strain in his throwing elbow. Cortés is the latest name in a growing list of injuries plaguing the Brewers’ pitching staff, which already includes Tobias Myers, Aaron Ashby, Brandon Woodruff, and Aaron Civale.
The Pirates will have to wait until May 22–25 to face their former first-rounder, when the Brewers travel to Pittsburgh for a four-game series at PNC Park.
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