Pirates' top prospects Quinn Priester and Endy Rodriguez both make MLB debut in loss to Guardians

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Endy Rodríguez knew something was up.

The 23-year-old catcher, the third-ranked prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system, was held out of Sunday's game at Triple-A Indianapolis. Only after an 11-4 win over Omaha, did manager Miguel Pérez reveal he was heading to the major leagues.

"Sunday, I got off and said, ‘Nah, they got something for me,’" Rodríguez recalled Monday.

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Quinn Priester (64) walks from the bullpen after warming up with catcher Endy Rodriguez for their major league debuts in a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 17, 2023.  (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Rodríguez was recalled from Indianapolis and inserted into the Pirates' lineup hitting seventh and at catcher for his big league debut in a series opener against Cleveland. Quinn Priester, a 22-year-old right-hander, started in his major league debut as the Pirates lost 11-0.

Priester, born Sept. 15, 2000, and Rodríguez, born May 26, 2000, became Major League Baseball's first starting battery born 2000 or later, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. It marked the first debuting starting battery for Pirates since Cookie Cuccurullo pitched to Hank Camelli on Oct. 3, 1943.

Rodríguez was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.

"The future is here, man. I know we’re going to do something special with this team," Rodríguez said. "At some point, we’re going to do the best job. I know we have a lot of younger players here and I think we have the talent. We’re going to do something special. "

Priester allowed seven runs, seven hits and two walks in 5 1/3