Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
In what could be our final MLB Draft profile, we bring you Quinn Priester, perhaps the best right-handed prep pitcher in the class. If he makes it to No. 25, he’d be a great value pick for the Dodgers.
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Previous profiles
- Maurice Hampton
- Daniel Espino
- Brennan Malone
- Kameron Misner
- Kody Hoese
- Gunnar Henderson
- Keoni Cavaco
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Vitals
6’3, 198 pounds
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
DOB: Sept. 15, 2000
Location
Cary, Ill.
Commitment: TCU
Rankings
Baseball America: 23
ESPN: 20
FanGraphs: 14
MLB.com: 19
Perfect Game: 36
Slot recommended bonus (No. 25): $2,740,300
Slot recommended bonus (No. 31): $2,312,000
Note: All information of draft prospects compiled from Internet sources, scouting reports and video.
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This is almost feeling like a throwback to a Logan White-run Dodgers’ draft, as Priester would be near the top of his wish list. He’s a projectable, prep, right-hander with a plus-fastball and curveball. Seriously, that was the exact scouting report on guys like Chad Billingsley, Chris Withrow, Ethan Martin and Zach Lee.
Priester has a couple different fastballs. The 4-seam variety sits in the 90-94 MPH range and touches 97. He pitches up int he strike zone effectively with it — something the Dodgers teach their pitchers to do coming up in the system. He also has a 2-seamer that features good running action to the arm side. It’s more of a 90-92 MPH pitch that keeps hitters off his 4-seamer. Some say his curveball is actually his best pitch. It’s a true 12-6 offering that sits in the mid-70s. He’s able to throw in whenever he wants and can throw it for strikes. It should miss bats in the pros. Priester also has a changeup that’s lacking behind his other offerings, but has flashed average potential. He could see all his offerings improve with professional instruction.
His athletic build and projectablilty are sure to intrigue the Dodgers. He repeats his delivery and has good arm action, leading some to think his command/control will be an asset going forward. He’s a strike-thrower now and has the potential to be a really strong all-around pitcher.
Video
Videos courtesy of Prospects Live and Prospect Pipeline.
A commitment to TCU probably won’t keep Priester from inking a deal if he’s picked in the first round. That’s almost assured. He could even be gone well before No. 25. Prep pitchers tend to fall on draft day, no matter how much polish or potential they have.
He could be a No. 2/3 starter if he reaches his ceiling. If not, a back-end starter it is. And if that changeup never fully develops or he doesn’t develop another pitch, you could see him as a big-time reliever.
