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Season storyline: Quinn Priester rejoins Pirates

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 ...
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Prospect highlight: Quinyon Mitchell

University of Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell could team up with Joey Porter Jr. to create a lockdown Steelers secondary

By Aidan Treu

 

If Quinyon Mitchell is available at pick 20 in the upcoming NFL draft, it might not take long for the Steelers to get their pick in.

His recent meteoric rise up draft boards may prevent him from falling to 20. However, a bit of a fall down the board or potentially a trade-up could bring the Steelers one of the better cornerback duos in football.

At six-foot-tall and 195 pounds, his size is not the biggest draw or reason for increased interest. His 40-yard dash time is a different story.

At 4.33 seconds, Mitchell is firmly among the fastest prospects in terms of straight-line speed. We have seen blazing speed not translate to level NFL level more than a few times, but Mitchell has shown more than just that.

The cornerback also put up impressive numbers on the bench press, repping 225 pounds 20 times. After the combine, it is clear to everyone that his lack of elite size will not prevent him from being an elite athlete.

He has shown an aptitude for reading the quarterback in zone coverage, as evidenced in part by his 14 pass breakups this past college season and 19 the year prior.

A cornerback with the athleticism to stick to a receiver in man coverage and the intelligence to play effective zone coverage has about as high of a ceiling as any NFL draft prospect.

Mitchell’s well-documented ability to cover underneath routes while playing off coverage will likely allow for an easier transition to the league than cornerbacks who specialize in press-man coverage.

The Toledo product does not struggle in man coverage, but working with Joey Porter Jr., a prospect lauded for his press-man coverage, would be a good fit to teach and learn alongside Mitchell as the two develop.

Additionally, his speed in tandem with his ability to effectively use the bail technique allows him to prevent receivers from getting behind him, consequently preventing big plays.

Mitchell's defensive awareness and processing along with his athleticism could create a versatile cornerback that receivers are afraid to go up against when he reaches the NFL.

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