Quinn Priester makes MLB return Former top prospect called up to majors following injury to Marco Gonzales The Pittsburgh Pirates’ rotation to start the year he been a welcome surprise. Between Martin Perez holding a 2.55 earned run average (ERA) and Jared Jones setting the baseball world on fire to start his career, the rotation has kept them in most games this season. After Marco Gonzales landed on the injured list because of a left forearm muscle strain, Quinn Priester will be the next man up to continue the success. Priester’s first major league stint was not what Pirates’ fans had been hoping for. The former top prospect had lost some of his velocity and his good breaking stuff was not enough to make up for a fastball that was too hittable. The strikeouts were also not enough to make up for how hard he was getting hit in 2023. Albeit in a small sample size, Priester may be on the verge of a resurgence after working on those problems. After being drafted at ...
Three players stand out as potential fits for Steelers at Senior Bowl
By Aidan Treu
A quarterback and two offensive lineman showed during the week of practice and culminating Feb. 3 Reese's Senior Bowl game in Mobile, Ala. why Steelers' scouts should be paying attention.
South Carolina University quarterback Spencer Rattler
Rattler raised his draft stock as much as anyone else during the week of practices and the game. The former five-star recruit has had an up-and-down collegiate career, but his performance during the Senior Bowl turned some heads.
The 6-foot-1 signal caller displayed his oft-discussed arm talent during practices, showing his ability to drive the ball outside the numbers and hit receivers with good velocity on his throws.
The Senior Bowl game showed he will take what is given to him but he isn’t afraid to take shots. Three of his four completions were check-downs, but all three went for good yardage.
His touchdown throw to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint showed his understanding of ball placement to allow for his receiver to create leverage.
Pittsburgh doesn’t have a clear-cut future at the quarterback position. A later-round flyer on Rattler wouldn’t be the worst experiment.
Oklahoma University offensive tackle Tyler Guyton
Guyton fits everything the Steelers look for in offensive linemen. The 6-foot-seven, 328-pound right tackle is big, athletic and somewhat similar to Broderick Jones.
Pittsburgh would be smart to look at moving Broderick Jones back to left tackle, his natural position, and create a strong, athletic tackle duo who would be difficult for opposing teams to handle in the run game especially.
Outside of his strong Senior Bowl week performance, Guyton played 400 snaps, only allowing two sacks and no QB hits on 191 pass-blocking snaps per Pro Football Focus in 2022. He added nine starts at right tackle and an All-Big 12 honorable mention this past season.
Oregon University center Jackson Powers-Johnson
After adding Joey Porter Jr. with pick 32 in last year’s draft, the Steelers should seriously consider adding another JPJ.
Powers-Johnson is similar to Guyton in how he fits the Steelers' offensive line mold. He is a big and strong lineman at 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds but still has the burst to get to the second level in the run game. He also has the hand usage, strength and flexibility necessary for quick recovery in pass protection if he starts to lose a block.
He does have a bad habit of occasionally lifting his feet unnecessarily, exposing himself to power moves. This tendency could allow a defensive lineman to destabilize his base enough to cause problems in the backfield.
The issue is not immediately prevalent because of his athleticism and ability to recover. Although defenders at the NFL level may be better at exposing it, it is certainly not an unfixable hole in his game.
The former University of Oregon center has been described as a mauler in the run game. His technical proficiency, along with great physical traits could provide for a great fit in between James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo.
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