Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | PIT | RHP | 4 | 50 |
Grades Update: Jan 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | CH | Ctr/Com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 50 | 50/45 |
Jan 2021 Report
Evaluator: Jason Kamlowsky
Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 Round 1
RuleV: 2023
Physical Description: Two-sport star at Cary-Grove Community High School in Illinois, was also part of a state championship football team as a senior. Tall, athletic build with an easy 3/4 arm action. Listed at 215 pounds, he looks to be closer to 200 giving him plenty of room to grow into his 6'3 frame. Although he just turned 20, he has already started to fill out in his lower half and his forearms. Has physical potential to be a frontline starter.
Delivery & Mechanics: Has an easy, repeatable 3/4 delivery with a slight cross body angle. Holds hands at his waist through his rocker step, then separates at the balance point giving him a hint of deception in his delivery. Excellent arm acceleration. Has improved his balance point and follow through since being drafted, though at times he rushes his balance point out of the stretch. Hold runners well. Low effort delivery should give him the opportunity to work deep into games.
Fastball: Has a four-seam fastball that touches 97 but sits consistently around 93. Has good command his four-seamer and uses it more on right handed hitters. Also throws a heavy two-seam fastball that lacks the velo and command of the four-seamer but has more sink and glove-side run. Two-seamer sits at 88-90 and he uses it to attack lefties with success. Both are average-to-above average at this point. Grade: 55
Curveball: 77-80 MPH and has good shape and depth. Can short arm it at times but when he gets out in front, it is devastating. Will attack hitters and has already proven to be an out pitch. Generates swings and misses and can already land it in the zone. Future potential plus pitch. Grade: 60
Changeup: 82-85 MPH work in progress. Finally landed on a grip he liked with modest success. Ideally would throw it with slightly less velo but the arm action is consistent giving me some optimism that it be an above average offering. Grade: 50
Control and Command: Already has a good feel for how to pitch relative to his age. Control is average right now with room for growth. Understands how to set up hitters and isn't afraid to challenge them inside. Throws to all quadrants with authority. Fastball command is ahead of secondary offerings. Curveball gets away from him at times leaving it up in the zone. Potential to grow into above average or better territory. Control: 50 | Command: 45
Overall: Priester is a two-sport athlete from a cold weather state which raises his ceiling considerably. He has the type of pitch arsenal the Pirates covet throwing two variations of a fastball including a two-seamer with plenty of life. The fact that he already carries a curveball that has proven to be an out pitch is a sign of his maturity despite the fact he has just 36.2 professional innings under his belt. A tremendous student of the game, Priester taught himself how to pitch watching others on YouTube. His floor should be that of a very strong backend starter but his combination of size, athleticism, and skill makes me dream of a mid-rotation or better arm.
OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4-#5 SP or High Leverage Reliever
Risk: High
