Pirates dealing RHP Quinn Priester to Red Sox

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Interesting first trade for the Pirates as they moved someone off their Major League roster for another team’s prospect.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan first to report the Pirates are trading their 2019 first-round pick, starting pitcher Quinn Priester to Boston for 22-year-old, 2020 Boston first-round pick, infielder Nick Yorke. The right-handed hitter and fielder hasn’t played in the majors let and was promoted to AAA in early June. He is hitting .310 with eight doubles, six home runs with a .408 on-base percentage and .898 OPS in 38 AAA games.

“Nick has been a strong offensive performer and versatile defender in the minor leagues,” said Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington. “We are excited to add him to our upper level position player."

Combined for the season, the 6’, 200-pound Yorke is hitting .278 with 16 doubles, 10 home runs, 46 RBI and 14 stolen bases with a .785 OPS. He dealt with a shoulder injury in high school that limited him to being a DH for his junior season and had a number of injuries in the 2022 season. While playing a majority of his games at second base, has played 27 in left field this year. He was the Red Sox minor league Offensive Player of the Year his first season when he hit 20 doubles and 14 home runs with a .325 average and .928 OPS between A and High A in 2021.

The Pirates say Yorke will report to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Priester was 2-6 this season with a 5.04 ERA striking out 31 in 44.2 innings with a 1.46 WHIP. In his MLB career, 5-9, 6.46 ERA, 94.2 innings, 67 strikeouts, 40 walks.

The MLB trade deadline is Tuesday at 6p.