(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have shown in 2023 that they are not afraid to embrace the future.
This year, some of their best prospects have made their MLB debut: Jared Triolo, Nick Gonzales, Henry Davis, and more.
On Monday night, two more joined the list in the same game: starting pitcher Quinn Priester and catcher Endy Rodriguez.
Last week, they were the starting battery in Triple-A.
This week?
They were the first battery in which both pitcher and catcher were making their big league debuts for the Pirates since 1943, according to the team.
A debut for the history books. pic.twitter.com/JBzFQYFB5F
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 17, 2023
Their combined debut was rough, to say the least: Priester gave up seven earned runs after a promising start, and Rodriguez struck out in three of his four plate appearances.
Still, both are full of promise, particularly Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is a top-50 prospect according to most outlets.
He is the owner of solid bat-to-ball skills and developing power, not to mention some handy defensive versatility that allows him to play catcher, second base, and outfield.
In Triple-A, he slashed .268/.356/.415 with six homers and 54 runs scored this year.
Priester is a 2019 first-round pick and while he has lost some velocity over the years, he is still considered a future mid-rotation starter.
His curveball is his best pitch and he also has a low-90s fastball with lots of arm-side movement.
He posted a 4.31 ERA in 87.2 Triple-A innings this year.
Both players partnered to make history on Monday, and both are important parts of the future of the organization.
They will try to do better the next time they take the field, which will be this week for Rodriguez and probably early next week for Priester.
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