5. Quinn Priester
Minors (RK, A-): 36.2 innings, 3.19 ERA, 1.255 WHiP, 14 walks, 41 strikeouts
Quinn Priester could be the type of high school arm that quickly rises through the minors, reaching the major league level sooner than expected.
Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 18th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Priester became the first Illinois high school player taken in the first round since Mike Foltynewicz. He shot up the draft boards due to his pure stuff, and excellent fastball.
Priester actually throws two varieties of that heater. His four seam fastball sits in the mid 90s, and has been clocked as high as 97 MPH. His two seamer, which sits in the lower 90s, is the better of the two offerings, as it has excellent movement and sink. He throws a plus curve already, with tight spin and excellent depth. Priester also has a bit of a change, but it is a work in progress as he needs to develop better separation in velocity between his change and fastball.
Priester is a rarity in that he already had three plus pitches coming out of high school, considering the two different fastballs he throws. If that changeup can develop quickly, it would not be a surprise to see him rocket through the system. He gets high marks for his intellect and competitiveness on the mound, which should also allow his development to continue.
The Pittsburgh Pirates may have gotten one of the steals of the draft in taking Quinn Priester with the 18th overall selection. He has the potential to rise through the system quickly, and establish himself as a top of the rotation arm.