After completing a three-game sweep over the weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Boston Red Sox made a surprising trade on Monday, impacting not only the 40-man roster but also the farm system.
The Red Sox announced that they have traded right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league prospect Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick, and a PTBNL or cash considerations.
With Priester on his way to Milwaukee, the Red Sox now have an open spot on their 40-man roster.
The #RedSox today traded RHP Quinn Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers, in exchange for minor league OF Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 7, 2025
Boston acquired the 24-year-old pitcher in a trade last summer from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The former Pirate made one start last season for the Red Sox, allowing one earned run, four hits, a walk, and striking out two batters in five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Heading into this season, Priester was considered a potential starting option for the Red Sox because of the injuries to their starting rotation. The 24-year-old pitcher had a 1-1 record and 4.82 ERA across four Spring Training starts. He also allowed 14 hits, seven walks, and five earned runs (two home runs) and recorded nine strikeouts in 9.1 innings pitched.
The Red Sox ultimately decided to go in a different direction for the rotation and sent the young right-handed pitcher to Triple-A Worcester.
Priester made his first start for the WooSox on April 3, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out six batters in four innings. The right-handed pitcher made nine starts last year in Triple-A.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez was the Brewers’ seventh-best prospect on their Top-30 list, per MLB Pipeline. Milwaukee signed the 19-year-old outfielder in January 2023 as an international free agent for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic.
The Red Sox are reportedly acquiring 19-year-old Brewers outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A pick, a PTBNL and cash in exchange for Quinn Priester.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 7, 2025
Rodriguez was No. 7 on Milwaukee's Top 30 Prospects list: https://t.co/6uaf5UtXJp pic.twitter.com/8bejkeaYU6
The 6-foot-1 outfielder spent last season in Single-A Carolina, where he slashed .250/.343/.383 with 23 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, and 60 RBI. After playing at Single-A in 2024, the young outfielder started this season in High-A Wisconsin. In three games at High-A, Rodriguez hit .417 with a double, a triple, and three runs scored.
MLB Pipeline projects Rodriguez to make his major league debut in 2027, so the Red Sox have some time to continue to develop his skills in their farm system over the next few years.