(Featured photo by Tayla Bolduc/Worcester WooSox)

Yesterday, former Pirates pitcher Quinn Priester was involved in a bit of a shocking trade.

Priester, a former first round selection by the Pirates back in 2019, started this season in the Boston Red Sox organization. He made one start this year for Triple-A Worcester, where he threw four innings and allowed two earned runs back on April 3rd.

Now, he is on his way back to the midwest. Priester was dealt to Pittsburgh’s NL Central rival in Milwaukee for current High-A outfielding prospect Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick, and a player to be named later or some cash.

Rodriguez, 19, played last year in Low-A for the Carolina Mudcats, where he slashed .250/.343/.383 in 110 games. He had 36 extra base hits, seven home runs, and 60 RBI in Carolina during that time, establishing himself as one of the more interesting prospects in Milwaukee’s system.

Here’s a good look at Yophery Rodriguez.

Feels like the exact type of bat the Red Sox like to target. Doesn’t chase much. Showed the ability to draw a walk with a 12.2 BB% in Single-A as an 18 year old.

Brewers were tweaking his swing to lift the ball more… let the Sox cook. pic.twitter.com/k3HSQsOVk9

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) April 7, 2025

That competitive balance pick is slated to be 33rd overall in the upcoming summer draft, and getting an extra asset as well or some cash can never hurt.

Look, no disrespect to Priester, but that is a crazy high price for a guy who has a 6.23 ERA, 1.555 WHIP, and has -1.0 bWAR over 99.2 career big league innings.

But why is this relevant to us here in Pittsburgh?