The Brewers went shopping for pitching on April 7, as Milwaukee acquired former top prospect Quinn Priester in a trade with the Red Sox. Milwaukee sent one of their best high-upside hitters in Yophery Rodriguez, plus a Competitive Balance A pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, to the Red Sox.
The Brewers’ Return
- SP Quinn Priester (4.71 ERA, 33 K over 49.2 IP in 2024 (MLB))
Priester’s been a well-known name across baseball circles, as the 24-year-old was a former first-round pick in 2019. The right-hander got his first taste of MLB action four years later in 2023 but the results were not impressive. Priester conceded 43 runs (12 HR) over 50 innings, resulting in a 7.74 ERA.
His numbers at the MLB level were better in 2024, between Pittsburgh and Boston. Priester saw the ERA lower to 4.71.
What was more impressive for Priester — as to be honest, ERA isn’t the be-all, end-all — was that the Chase% (30.7%) and Barrel% (4.1%) numbers were both significantly improved.
However, Priester did not make the Red Sox’s rotation out of camp, despite injuries that paved the way for him to fight for a spot.
Priester was a strikeout pitcher at the Minor League level, as he had 428 career strikeouts over 408.2 IP innings. However, Priester’s been anything but a strikeout pitcher at the MLB level, with 69 strikeouts over 99.2 IP.
The 24-year-old profiles as a pitch-to-contact hurler who induced more ground balls at the MLB level, compared to strikeouts. Priester’s shown feel for a slider and curveball with depth. However, what is his primary offering is a mid-90s sinker, one with above-average sinking action (1.9” better than league average) that he uses more often to righties than lefties.
He’s leveraged that sinker more than his four-seamer, one that doesn’t have a lot of induced carrying movement (13.9” IVB in 2024).
The Red Sox originally acquired Priester last summer for former first-round pick Nick Yorke.
The Red Sox’s Return
- OF Yophery Rodriguez (.250/.343/.383, 7 HR and 36 XBH over 110 G in 2024 (A))
- 33rd pick in 2025 MLB Draft
The Brewers made Yophery Rodriguez the centerpiece of their 2023 international signing class, as Milwaukee signed him for $1.5MM in January of that year. Rodriguez skipped over the Arizona Complex League in 2024 and headed straight to full-season ball — and thrived, to say the least.
Rodriguez hit .250 with seven home runs and 36 extra-base hits, including six triples, last year with Carolina (A). The 20-year-old notched five hits over his first three games at Wisconsin (A+) before the trade.
The new Red Sox has somewhat of an unorthodox swing but it is easy to dream on him developing more home run power as he ages.
Additionally, Rodriguez didn’t strike out too much as a 19-year-old (23.8% K%) and walked at a strong clip (12.2%).
Boston also got the 33rd pick in this year’s MLB Draft. It gives Boston two picks to play with in the first round, as the Red Sox also have the 15th overall selection.
A player to be named later or cash considerations is also part of the deal, per the teams.
Analysis
Even though it’s the second time Priester’s been moved over the last year, it’s not hard to see why the Brewers wanted him.
Priester has quality stuff and a ground ball lean that can work with a strong defense behind him. The Brewers do have a strong middle infield with Joey Ortiz and Brice Turang.
Plus, the move gives Milwaukee additional pitching depth, given the Brewers are currently without Aaron Civale, Nestor Cortes, and Brandon Woodruff.
As for the Red Sox, Boston clears a 40-man roster spot and gets a very projectable bat in Rodriguez. The MLB Draft pick is also nice, as well.
However, it is worth noting that Boston’s pitching depth, right now, is good, hence why this trade works. Hunter Dobbins pitched well in his MLB debut and Boston should be getting some notable names, including Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito, back soon.
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