Pirates Acquire Nick Yorke In Trade for Quinn Priester
p/c: John Wacher
The first domino has fallen, in regards to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ trade season, as pitcher Quinn Priester is being dealt to the Boston Red Sox. In exchange, the Bucs are receiving infield prospect Nick Yorke.
Priester was a first round draft choice of the Pirates in 2019.
Last season, Priester arrived to the big leagues, but the results were disastrous, as he posted a 7.74 ERA in 50 innings of work.
The 23-year-old Priester was recalled to Pittsburgh on a couple of occasions this year. His second recall saw him being used in a swingman role. Priester’s last appearance was on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, in which he surrendered five runs in four innings, putting his ERA on the season at 5.04.
Yorke is also a former first rounder, as he was selected by Boston 17th overall in the 2020 draft.
The numbers for Yorke in 2024 have been quite good, for both AA Portland and AAA Worcester, as he’s combined to slash .278/.363/.422, in 366 plate appearances.
Prior to the trade, MLB Pipeline had Yorke ranked as the sixth best prospect in the Red Sox’ system.
For Priester, it’s an opportunity to start fresh elsewhere. Given the pitching depth that’s on the horizon for the Pirates, Priester wasn’t making enough progress to show that he can stick around, and therefore, getting lost in the shuffle.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh obtains a bat, with some intriguing upside in Yorke. He plays primarily second base, and occasionally left field.
With Nick Gonzales’ injury considered longer term, there may be an opportunity for Yorke to get a look as the Pirates second baseman sooner rather than later.