The last first-round draft pick that former Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington made was to take high school starter Quinn Priester. Priester became the top prep pitcher off of the board at number 18 overall. He passed on his commitment to the Texas Christian University to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a slot deal of $3.4 million.
The pick already looks like it was a good one as Priester dominated in his début last season. In addition to a strong début season, Priester is now in the conversation as a top 100 prospect. The right hander through in nine games in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization last season: eight of them came with the Gulf Coast affiliate while the last one came with the Short-Season West Virginia Black Bears.