For most prospects, it isn’t a question of whether or not they have the stuff to make the majors, but whether they can command it enough to pitch at the highest level.
Both Quinn Priester and Kyle Nicolas were high draft picks, so their talents have been long recognized by the Pirates, and around baseball in general. It’s been a matter of learning to control their stuff as they’ve moved up the ladder that continues to put them in position to be contributors at the major league level.
Priester has struggled to throw strikes at times in the minors, but has taken a very encouraging step forward this year, dropping his walk rate nearly three points to 6.