Red Sox Prospect Acquired In Mid-Season Trade Dazzles On Mound

The Boston Red Sox were banking on Quinn Priester’s potential when they acquired him in a trade deadline deal this season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Well, the 23-year-old right-hander showed off that potential in a big way with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday night.

Priester had his best performance since joining the Red Sox organization as he tossed six scoreless innings against the Rochester Red Wings. He scattered four hits, issued no walks and recorded eight strikeouts in his terrific outing.

It was also a very efficient showing from Priester, who threw 47 of his 69 pitches for strikes before giving way to Worcester’s bullpen.

Priester’s been up-and-down on the mound since getting to Worcester. He allowed eight runs in his first start with the team but also threw five scoreless innings in a mid-August start. Priester has posted a 6.23 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 26 innings (six starts) with Worcester.

If Priester continues to trend upward, perhaps he could petition to be a very late-season call-up, especially if the Red Sox fall completely out of the playoff race. Priester has big-league experience, making 20 appearances (14 starts) with the Pirates over the last two seasons.

While Priester may have turned a corner, the prospect the Red Sox gave up in the trade is on a tear with Pittsburgh’s Triple-A affiliate. Nick Yorke is batting a robust .360 with one home run and 20 RBIs — more than he had with Worcester this season — in 30 games with the Indianapolis Indians.