In an effort to bolster their beleaguered pitching staff, the Milwaukee Brewers have acquired right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester from the Boston Red Sox. The trade involves sending Boston’s outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez, a competitive balance pick in the upcoming draft, and another player yet to be named to the Brewers.
Priester’s arrival provides a much-needed boost to a Brewers pitching lineup struggling with multiple injuries. Recently, left-hander Nestor Cortes was placed on the injured list due to a flexor strain in his throwing elbow, leaving Freddy Peralta as the only healthy starter originally projected for Milwaukee’s five-man rotation this season.
In exchange, Boston receives the promising 19-year-old Rodriguez to enhance its farm system, as well as receiving the 33rd overall pick in the forthcoming amateur draft.
Last season, Priester, 24, had a 3-6 record with a 4.71 ERA in seven starts and eleven total appearances shared between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Red Sox. He recorded 33 strikeouts against 14 walks over 49 2/3 innings pitched. Additionally, at the Triple-A level, Priester achieved a 4-2 record with a 4.38 ERA across 16 starts. In his single start with Triple-A Worcester this season, he pitched four innings, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out six batters without issuing a walk.
Initially selected by the Pirates as the 18th overall pick in the 2019 amateur draft, Priester was traded to Boston last July in exchange for infielder Nick Yorke.
Rodriguez, who joined the Brewers from the Dominican Republic in 2023, showcased his potential by batting .250 with a .343 on-base percentage, seven home runs, and 60 RBIs over 110 games with Single-A Carolina last season. Continuing this form, he batted .417 with a .462 on-base percentage across three games with Single-A Wisconsin this year.
Priester will join the Brewers directly, circumventing a trip to the minors. The injuries impacting Milwaukee’s rotation include those to Aaron Ashby, Aaron Civale, Robert Gasser, DL Hall, Nick Mears, Tobias Myers, Brandon Woodruff, and Cortes. Meanwhile, Jose Quintana is working on his return to form after inking a one-year, $4.25 million deal with the team during the spring.
In order to accommodate Priester in their 40-man roster, the Brewers have designated left-hander Grant Wolfram for assignment.