Priester whiffs season-high 11 at Triple-A with Endy as batterymate

Quinn Priest proved to have a brief reminiscence on Saturday for Triple-A Indianapolis.

Getting into the competition with a 5.84 ERA and .283 opponents’ common in opposition to throughout his earlier 5 begins, the Pirates’ No. 4 prospect returned to the pitcher he was earlier in his 2023 marketing campaign. Going six scoreless innings, Priester struck out a season-high 11 Columbus batters and walked simply two in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over the Clippers.

The outing was harking back to the Priester who took the mound from Might 4-21, a stretch through which he recorded a 1.13 ERA and held opponents to a .544 OPS over 4 begins.

“I used to be simply actually dedicated to attacking the strike zone early and getting forward of fellows with every thing I had,” stated Priester, Pipeline’s No. 60 prospect. “Tonight I simply form of had it working … I used to be capable of actually work inside to their lefties, after which end with the curveball, which was the perfect pitch tonight. So I used to be actually happy with with the ability to be so versatile tonight, and I believe that led to quite a lot of success.”

A return to type needed to be a welcome sight for the Pirates — Priester and batterymate Endy Rodriguez creating chemistry on the identical time is an added bonus. Each prospects are ranked in The highest 60 of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.

The curveball and changeup had been notably efficient for Priester. He compelled a complete of 17 swings on the 2 offspeed pitches, and 13 mixed swings-and-misses. Zero balls had been put in play in opposition to both providing.

“The four-seam fastball was getting in on guys, in order that they needed to respect that,” Priester stated. “In order that curveball holds that very same line, holds that tunnel. After which with the sinker, the changeup, it holds the tunnel there. In order that sinker they received to respect after I’m finding that four-seamer into lefties. It makes my life a little bit simpler.”

Rodríguez, the Pirates’ No. 2 prospect, had a go-ahead sacrifice fly within the backside of the seventh inning for the Indians. His and Priester’s performances proved to be important in selecting up the victory. The duo on the identical web page is a sight Bucs followers welcome as they proceed their push towards PNC Park.