Back on April 7, the Boston Red Sox shocked a lot of people with a trade. They sent pitcher Quinn Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez, cash considerations, a Competitive Balance Round A pick, and a player to be named later.
At the time, many felt it was an absolute fleecing by the Red Sox. They traded a depth pitcher for a good prospect, cash, and a great draft pick. However, Priester has been on fire for the Brewers lately. The 24-year-old is consistently posting good starts for Milwaukee, to the tune of a 3.15 ERA in 114.1 innings.
Priester's turnaround has led to fans turning on the trade. Quite a few feel like the Red Sox could use a pitcher like Priester.
They certainly aren't wrong, but you could also argue that he would not be pitching as well with Boston. Milwaukee may have unlocked something. His pitching style also doesn't fit Fenway as much.
The Red Sox's returns in the Quinn Priester trade have paid dividends so far
Priester's numbers are great (.228 BAA, and 1.19 WHIP). However, he doesn't miss bats (93 strikeouts). It's safe to assume a regression could be down the road.
From Boston's side, the return has been phenomenal. Let's start with the Competitive Balance Round A pick that turned into Marcus Phillips (33rd overall). He won't pitch this year, but the righty can throw over 100 MPH with a fantastic combination of a slider and a changeup.
Then there's the player to be named later. He ended up being John Holobetz. Holobetz was a fifth-round pick in 2024 (a surprising addition into the trade). The right-handed pitcher posted a 3.43 ERA, .272 BAA, and 1.25 WHIP in High-A for the Red Sox. He struck out 62 batters compared to 10 walks in 63 innings.
Holobetz made his Double-A debut on Thursday, allowing four runs on seven hits in six innings. He struck out four batters without walking any.
Holobetz throws a mid-90s fastball and doesn't walk people. At the very least, the 23-year-old will become a depth Triple-A arm. Don't be shocked if the Red Sox work their magic and get that velocity up, raising his ceiling in the process.
Finally, there's Rodriguez. He started hot with the Red Sox, before cooling off substantially for the next few months. Boston fans soured on him for a bit, but it's important to remember this is a 19-year-old getting his first taste of High-A on a new team.
Rodriguez had a ridiculous July to remind everyone of his talent. The left-handed hitting outfielder slashed .342/.375/.539 with seven doubles, one triple, and two home runs. He drove in 15 runs, scored nine more, and stole four bases. Rodriguez earned the South Atlantic League Player of the Month for his efforts.
He showcases great defense in the outfield, is a phenomenal base runner, and has a pretty swing that's yielding results. Yophery Rodriguez has all the tools to become a legitimate top 100 prospect down the road.
It makes sense that Boston fans are watching Priester shove in Milwaukee and are wondering what could've been. The prospects the Red Sox got in the trade are doing their best to give fans a reason to be excited, though.