The Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester with the 18th overall selection in the 2019 MLB Draft last night. The 18-year-old Priester attended Cary-Grove High School in Illinois, where he posted a 6-2 record with a 1.20 ERA entering the post-season. He also surrendered just 25 hits and 11 walks in 46.2 innings pitched while striking out 73 batters. He already has a fastball topping 97 miles per hour.
The 6’3″ righthander was a two-sport athlete at Cary-Grove, where he played wide receiver and defensive back on the football team that went 14-0 and won a Class 6A state championship in 2018.
The Pirates also selected outfielder Sammy Siani from William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, with the 37th overall pick. It was a selection the Pirates received for failing to sign their top overall pick last season.
Switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman of Oregon State was the top overall pick by Baltimore.