Born in Los Angeles, Priddy was signed by the New York Yankees\' Southern California scouting chief, Bill Essick. In 1938, Priddy was paired with future Hall of Fame shortstop Phil Rizzuto as a double play combination for three years in the Yankees\' minor league organization. In 1938, Priddy and Rizzuto played beside each other on the Norfolk Tars championship team.\n', '

The following year, they were promoted together to the American Association\'s Kansas City Blues. With Priddy, Rizzuto, and Vince DiMaggio, the 1939 Blues went 107–47 and have been ranked as the 12th best minor league team of all-time. Rizzuto and the 19-year-old Priddy were two of the league\'s best players in 1939. Priddy hit .333 with 24 home runs and 107 RBIs, leading the American Association with 44 doubles (44); he was second in hits (193), total bases (339), and triples (15), third in batting average, and fourth in RBIs. He also led the league\'s second basemen in putouts (372), assists (456), and double plays (126).\n', '

By 1940, the exploits of Priddy and Rizzuto drew attention in New York as the Yankees\' double play combination of the future. Mel Allen gave regular reports about their performance in Kansas City during his New York radio broadcasts. Allen predicted they would become "the best the Yankees ever had." That season, Priddy batted .306 with 38 doubles, 10 triples, and 16 home runs, while Rizzuto was named the league MVP for his play.\n', '

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