BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today acquired right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester from the Pittsburgh Pirates, in exchange for minor league infielder/outfielder Nick Yorke. Boston has optioned Priester to Triple-A Worcester.
The Red Sox’ 40-Man Roster is now at 40.
Priester, 23, has pitched in 20 games (14 starts) with the Pirates (2023-24), going 5-9 with a 6.46 ERA (68 ER/94.2 IP). Selected by Pittsburgh in the first round (No. 18 overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, the right-hander was ranked by Baseball America as a top 100 prospect in 2021 (No. 58) and 2022 (No. 88). He ranks in Major League Baseball’s 93rd percentile in ground ball rate (55.5%), as well as the 91st percentile in barrel rate (4.5%) and 73rd in walk rate (6.5%). In addition to his 10 outings with Pittsburgh this season, Priester has made seven starts for Triple-A Indianapolis, going 3-1 with a 3.21 ERA (12 ER/33.2 IP), 36 strikeouts, seven walks, and only two home runs allowed.
Yorke, 22, has played in 83 games this season for Double-A Portland (45 games) and Triple-A Worcester (38 games), batting .278 (89-for-320) with 16 doubles, 10 home runs, and 46 RBI while making 54 starts at second base, 26 in left field, and two as the designated hitter. Originally selected by the Red Sox in the first round (No. 17 overall) of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, the California native has batted .277 (409-for-1,479) in 370 career minor league games.
