Pirates Prospect Watch: Quinn Priester Roughed Up In Second Triple-A Outing

Pittsburgh Pirates top pitching prospect Quinn Priester has enjoyed a strong season on the mound this year.

After cruising to a 2.87 ERA in 15 starts with Double-A Altoona this season, Priester earned a promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis.

His first taste of the highest level of the minor leagues went well. The 22-year-old threw five scoreless innings with six punch outs a start with the Indians last week.

In Tuesday’s 7-1 loss to the Columbus Clippers, Priester battled control problems and didn’t turn in nearly as strong of a performance.

Priester walked five and struck out four in 4.1 innings. He was charged with four earned runs and took the loss.

It’s a disappointing end to his 2022 campaign, but the 2019 first-round pick will be able to reflect on a strong season overall.

Priester projects to be a key component of the Pirates’ rotation in the future and he did nothing to prove otherwise on the year.

Here are the other performers of note from Tuesday’s game.

Indianapolis Indians (74-74)

RF Travis Swaggerty

• Game: 1 for 3 with a walk and a steal
• Season: .256/.349/.403, 15 doubles, eight triples, nine home runs, 19 steals, 106 games

RHP Junior Fernández

• Game: 1.0 innings, one hit, no runs, no walks, two strikeouts
• Season: 1-0, 2.25 ERA, 8.0 innings, two hits, six walks, eight strikeouts, six games

Swaggerty showed off his skillset with two times on base and his 19th steal of the season. Fernandez, who was claimed off waivers from St. Louis earlier this month, has pitched well despite some wildness.

Outfielder Brendt Citta was the only other player for Indianapolis with a hit.