Nick Yorke

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #8 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Red Sox stunned the industry when they selected Yorke with the 17th overall pick in the five-round 2020 draft and signed him for a below-slot $2.7 million. In 2021, he made the decision look brilliant with a .325/.412/.516 line at two Class A levels. Instead, he spent all of 2022 in High-A Greenville while struggling with injuries--turf toe, back and wrist--and his hitting mechanics. Yorke made adjustments to restore rhythm and timing to his swing, then had a streaky but ultimately solid year in Double-A Portland as a 21-year-old in 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: After his timing struggles of 2022, Yorke made a striking adjustment, elevating his hands above his head as if wielding a battle ax before dropping them to shoulder height as the pitcher enters his delivery. Though unorthodox, the adjustment helped Yorke to a great start with improved plate discipline while producing hard liners from right-center field to left for two months. After midyear struggles in which he veered from passivity to hyper-aggressiveness, Yorke experimented late in the year with a more conventional pre-pitch setup--an adjustment some evaluators believe could limit his swing-and-miss and aid his development into a more consistent hitter who produces hard liners from gap to gap. Yorke’s range at second base is limited by a lack of pure foot speed and arm strength that grades as slightly below-average, but he’s a steady defender with good hands and an accurate arm. He turns balls in play into outs to the edge of his coverage area. He’s a fringy but smart baserunner.
  
  The Future: It’s not out of the question Yorke that could open 2024 back at Double-A based on available playing time, but regardless of whether he’s there or Triple-A, he could emerge as a potential major league depth option by midyear, and a bottom-of-the-order regular by 2025.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #7 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Red Sox stunned the industry when they selected Yorke--a projected second- or third-round pick--with the 17th overall pick in 2020. After signing for a below-slot $2.7 million, Yorke quieted skeptics with a .325/.412/.516 batting line at two Class A levels in 2021. But in 2022, a succession of injuries--turf toe, back stiffness, wrist soreness--contributed to inconsistency with his mechanics, approach and ultimately his performance.
  
  Scouting Report: At his best, Yorke's compact, quick swing affords him the extra time needed to handle velocity while spitting on pitches out of the zone and attacking those he can drive. In 2021, he produced line drives to all fields and showed plenty of easy pull-side power. But Yorke's struggles with health and performance in 2022 left him tinkering with his swing throughout the season--with poor results. His groundball rate spiked, his previous all-fields approach became too pull-heavy, and his strikeout rate jumped from 15.6% to 25.2%. Yorke and the Red Sox are hopeful that with health, he'll reclaim his status as one of the best pure hitting prospects in the minors. There's a lot of pressure on Yorke's bat given that his range is limited--a growing concern given the shift restrictions coming to MLB in 2023. But while Yorke isn't rangy, he proved reliable in the field. He committed only one error in 68 games at second base in 2022. He has a chance to stick at second with fringy defense.
  
  The Future: The 2023 campaign should clarify whether Yorke is the standout hitting prospect of 2021. A rebound campaign would put him on track to reach the big leagues by late 2024, with the potential to hit toward the top of the lineup with high on-base percentages, loads of doubles and 20-homer potential. He'll open 2023 back at High-A Greenville or, with a strong spring, potentially at Double-A Portland.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #3 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Most teams considered Yorke a potential second- or third-round pick in 2020, but the Red Sox went above industry consensus and made Yorke the surprise first-round pick of the draft when they took him 17th overall. Yorke entered his pro debut intent on proving doubters wrong and largely accomplished that mission. After a slow start, he caught fire during the summer to win the Low-A East batting title (.323) and OPS crown (.913) before receiving a late promotion to High-A Greenville.
  
  Scouting Report: Yorke’s quick, compact swing and excellent barrel control permits him the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. He complements those physical gifts with excellent pitch recognition and plate discipline to earn consensus projections as a future plus to plus-plus hitter. While Yorke showed gap power early, he adjusted to create space with his body to drive the ball in the air to his pull side down the stretch, resulting in 11 homers in his final 35 games. While few doubt Yorke will hit, his defensive outlook is murkier. His fringe-average speed, which results in some difficulty making plays to his right, and long arm stroke create questions about his ability to stick at second base despite solid hands and average pure arm strength. If he can’t stay at second, he’s likely to land in left field.
  
  The Future: Yorke’s performance suggests a player who may be one of the best pure hitters in the minors. He profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter and will see the upper levels of the minors in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #9 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 60.Power: 45. Run: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
  Track Record: The Red Sox stunned the industry when they drafted Yorke with the 17th overall pick last June, but the team had years of familiarity that informed its willingness to buck consensus. Area scout Josh Labandeira believed Yorke’s ability to drive the ball to center and right-center at an early age harbored similarities to what he’d seen in the minors playing against David Wright. The Red Sox signed Yorke for a below-slot $2.7 million bonus and invited him to the alternate training site, where he reached base in seven of 10 plate appearances.
  
  Scouting Report: There is an ease about Yorke in the batter’s box, where his quickly accelerating bat allows him an extra beat to recognize pitches and make smart swing decisions. He barrels balls to the entire field, creating the potential for high batting averages and on-base percentages with high extra-base hits totals. Yorke added 15 pounds of muscle his senior season to add more power to his game, but he always projects to hit for average over power. While Yorke will move off his high school position of shortstop, the Red Sox believe he can stay in the middle of the diamond at second base.
  
  The Future: Yorke should open 2021 in low Class A. The Red Sox believe his advanced bat and uncommon maturity could allow him to jump on the fast track. .

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #96 prospect in 2020 draft
  Some evaluators believe Yorke is the best pure hitter on the west coast, among high schoolers. A 6-foot, 195-pound shortstop committed to Arizona, Yorke has a long track record of performing as a high schooler, with a well-balanced swing that’s routinely on time. This spring before the coronavirus shut down the 2020 season, Yorke was tapping into a bit more power as well, hitting the ball with authority to the pull side and up the middle. He has a chance for a future plus bat and fringe-average power while handling a middle infield spot. Yorke dealt with a shoulder injury prior to his junior year and is still recovering from that, which leads some scouts to believe he’ll be a better fit as an offensive second baseman. Still, other scouts have said his arm has looked good, with a better arm stroke recently and above-average arm strength. With solid footwork, instincts and an internal clock, he has a chance to stay at shortstop, or he could slide to third base. Wherever he ends up defensively, teams love the bat that Yorke brings to the table. There are a number of teams that have Yorke evaluated in the second- or third-round range, but he could be a difficult sign out of Arizona.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #2 prospect in 2021
  Yorke was the surprise pick of the 2020 draft at No. 17 overall but proved Red Sox evaluators prescient with an excellent pro debut. He showed off a plus hit tool with quick bat speed and the ability to hit the ball to all fields. Yorke stood out to league managers for his patient approach at the plate, consistently delivering quality at-bats, running the bases well and playing solid defense at second base, though he needs to improve on the double play turn. Yorke added 15 pounds to his frame as a prep senior, and it translated to solid extra-base pop, with 14 home runs and 20 doubles in 2021. Yorke’s bat will lead the way for him, and in his first pro season it more than delivered. “Swung the bat great, ran the bases, stole bases,” Delmarva manager Dave Anderson said. “He was a fun guy to watch play. Young kid too. He played really good against us.”

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #31 prospect in 2022

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Red Sox stunned the industry when they selected Yorke--a projected second- or third-round pick--with the 17th overall pick in 2020. After signing for a below-slot $2.7 million, Yorke quieted skeptics with a .325/.412/.516 batting line at two Class A levels in 2021. But in 2022, a succession of injuries--turf toe, back stiffness, wrist soreness--contributed to inconsistency with his mechanics, approach and ultimately his performance.
  
  Scouting Report: At his best, Yorke's compact, quick swing affords him the extra time needed to handle velocity while spitting on pitches out of the zone and attacking those he can drive. In 2021, he produced line drives to all fields and showed plenty of easy pull-side power. But Yorke's struggles with health and performance in 2022 left him tinkering with his swing throughout the season--with poor results. His groundball rate spiked, his previous all-fields approach became too pull-heavy, and his strikeout rate jumped from 15.6% to 25.2%. Yorke and the Red Sox are hopeful that with health, he'll reclaim his status as one of the best pure hitting prospects in the minors. There's a lot of pressure on Yorke's bat given that his range is limited--a growing concern given the shift restrictions coming to MLB in 2023. But while Yorke isn't rangy, he proved reliable in the field. He committed only one error in 68 games at second base in 2022. He has a chance to stick at second with fringy defense.
  
  The Future: The 2023 campaign should clarify whether Yorke is the standout hitting prospect of 2021. A rebound campaign would put him on track to reach the big leagues by late 2024, with the potential to hit toward the top of the lineup with high on-base percentages, loads of doubles and 20-homer potential. He'll open 2023 back at High-A Greenville or, with a strong spring, potentially at Double-A Portland.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Red Sox stunned the industry when they selected Yorke--a projected second- or third-round pick--with the 17th overall pick in 2020. After signing for a below-slot $2.7 million, Yorke quieted skeptics with a .325/.412/.516 batting line at two Class A levels in 2021. But in 2022, a succession of injuries--turf toe, back stiffness, wrist soreness--contributed to inconsistency with his mechanics, approach and ultimately his performance.
  
  Scouting Report: At his best, Yorke's compact, quick swing affords him the extra time needed to handle velocity while spitting on pitches out of the zone and attacking those he can drive. In 2021, he produced line drives to all fields and showed plenty of easy pull-side power. But Yorke's struggles with health and performance in 2022 left him tinkering with his swing throughout the season--with poor results. His groundball rate spiked, his previous all-fields approach became too pull-heavy, and his strikeout rate jumped from 15.6% to 25.2%. Yorke and the Red Sox are hopeful that with health, he'll reclaim his status as one of the best pure hitting prospects in the minors. There's a lot of pressure on Yorke's bat given that his range is limited--a growing concern given the shift restrictions coming to MLB in 2023. But while Yorke isn't rangy, he proved reliable in the field. He committed only one error in 68 games at second base in 2022. He has a chance to stick at second with fringy defense.
  
  The Future: The 2023 campaign should clarify whether Yorke is the standout hitting prospect of 2021. A rebound campaign would put him on track to reach the big leagues by late 2024, with the potential to hit toward the top of the lineup with high on-base percentages, loads of doubles and 20-homer potential. He'll open 2023 back at High-A Greenville or, with a strong spring, potentially at Double-A Portland.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Very High
  
  August Update: It&#39s been an incredibly difficult 2022 for Yorke as he&#39s been mired in a season-long slump. His swing has been out of whack all season and he&#39s struggled to hit for contact and power in the way he did in 2021. There&#39s still hope for Yorke as his approach is still strong, and he could make the necessary adjustments to put this season behind him, but it&#39s been a noticeable downturn that has adjusted expectations around Yorke&#39s projection long term.
  
  Track Record: Most teams considered Yorke a potential second- or third-round pick in 2020, but the Red Sox went above industry consensus and made Yorke the surprise first-round pick of the draft when they took him 17th overall. Yorke entered his pro debut intent on proving doubters wrong and largely accomplished that mission. After a slow start, he caught fire during the summer to win the Low-A East batting title (.323) and OPS crown (.913) before receiving a late promotion to High-A Greenville.
  
  Scouting Report: Yorke&#39s quick, compact swing and excellent barrel control permits him the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. He complements those physical gifts with excellent pitch recognition and plate discipline to earn consensus projections as a future plus hitter. While Yorke showed gap power early, he adjusted to create space with his body to drive the ball in the air to his pull side down the stretch, resulting in 11 homers in his final 35 games. While few doubt Yorke will hit, his defensive outlook is murkier. His fringe-average speed, which results in some difficulty making plays to his right, and long arm stroke create questions about his ability to stick at second base despite solid hands and average pure arm strength. If he can&#39t stay at second, he&#39s likely to land in left field.
  
  The Future: Yorke&#39s performance suggests a player who may be one of the best pure hitters in the minors. He profiles as a top of the order hitter and will see the upper levels of the minors in 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 70. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Most teams considered Yorke a potential second- or third-round pick in 2020, but the Red Sox went above industry consensus and made Yorke the surprise first-round pick of the draft when they took him 17th overall. Yorke entered his pro debut intent on proving doubters wrong and largely accomplished that mission. After a slow start, he caught fire during the summer to win the Low-A East batting title (.323) and OPS crown (.913) before receiving a late promotion to High-A Greenville.
  
  Scouting Report: Yorke’s quick, compact swing and excellent barrel control permits him the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. He complements those physical gifts with excellent pitch recognition and plate discipline to earn consensus projections as a future plus to plus-plus hitter. While Yorke showed gap power early, he adjusted to create space with his body to drive the ball in the air to his pull side down the stretch, resulting in 11 homers in his final 35 games. While few doubt Yorke will hit, his defensive outlook is murkier. His fringe-average speed, which results in some difficulty making plays to his right, and long arm stroke create questions about his ability to stick at second base despite solid hands and average pure arm strength. If he can’t stay at second, he’s likely to land in left field.
  
  The Future: Yorke’s performance suggests a player who may be one of the best pure hitters in the minors. He profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter and will see the upper levels of the minors in 2022.
  
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Yorke was the surprise pick of the 2020 draft at No. 17 overall but proved Red Sox evaluators prescient with an excellent pro debut. He showed off a plus hit tool with quick bat speed and the ability to hit the ball to all fields. Yorke stood out to league managers for his patient approach at the plate, consistently delivering quality at-bats, running the bases well and playing solid defense at second base, though he needs to improve on the double play turn. Yorke added 15 pounds to his frame as a prep senior, and it translated to solid extra-base pop, with 14 home runs and 20 doubles in 2021. Yorke’s bat will lead the way for him, and in his first pro season it more than delivered. “Swung the bat great, ran the bases, stole bases,” Delmarva manager Dave Anderson said. “He was a fun guy to watch play. Young kid too. He played really good against us.”
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60.Power: 45. Run: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
  Track Record: The Red Sox stunned the industry when they drafted Yorke with the 17th overall pick last June, but the team had years of familiarity that informed its willingness to buck consensus. Area scout Josh Labandeira believed Yorke's ability to drive the ball to center and right-center at an early age harbored similarities to what he'd seen in the minors playing against David Wright. The Red Sox signed Yorke for a below-slot $2.7 million bonus and invited him to the alternate training site, where he reached base in seven of 10 plate appearances.
  
  Scouting Report: There is an ease about Yorke in the batter's box, where his quickly accelerating bat allows him an extra beat to recognize pitches and make smart swing decisions. He barrels balls to the entire field, creating the potential for high batting averages and on-base percentages with high extra-base hits totals. Yorke added 15 pounds of muscle his senior season to add more power to his game, but he always projects to hit for average over power. While Yorke will move off his high school position of shortstop, the Red Sox believe he can stay in the middle of the diamond at second base.
  
  The Future: Yorke should open 2021 in low Class A. The Red Sox believe his advanced bat and uncommon maturity could allow him to jump on the fast track. .
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60.Power: 45. Run: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
  Track Record: The Red Sox stunned the industry when they drafted Yorke with the 17th overall pick last June, but the team had years of familiarity that informed its willingness to buck consensus. Area scout Josh Labandeira believed Yorke’s ability to drive the ball to center and right-center at an early age harbored similarities to what he’d seen in the minors playing against David Wright. The Red Sox signed Yorke for a below-slot $2.7 million bonus and invited him to the alternate training site, where he reached base in seven of 10 plate appearances.
  
  Scouting Report: There is an ease about Yorke in the batter’s box, where his quickly accelerating bat allows him an extra beat to recognize pitches and make smart swing decisions. He barrels balls to the entire field, creating the potential for high batting averages and on-base percentages with high extra-base hits totals. Yorke added 15 pounds of muscle his senior season to add more power to his game, but he always projects to hit for average over power. While Yorke will move off his high school position of shortstop, the Red Sox believe he can stay in the middle of the diamond at second base.
  
  The Future: Yorke should open 2021 in low Class A. The Red Sox believe his advanced bat and uncommon maturity could allow him to jump on the fast track. .
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60.Power: 45. Run: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
  Track Record: The Red Sox stunned the industry when they drafted Yorke with the 17th overall pick last June, but the team had years of familiarity that informed its willingness to buck consensus. Area scout Josh Labandeira believed Yorke’s ability to drive the ball to center and right-center at an early age harbored similarities to what he’d seen in the minors playing against David Wright. The Red Sox signed Yorke for a below-slot $2.7 million bonus and invited him to the alternate training site, where he reached base in seven of 10 plate appearances.
  
  Scouting Report: There is an ease about Yorke in the batter’s box, where his quickly accelerating bat allows him an extra beat to recognize pitches and make smart swing decisions. He barrels balls to the entire field, creating the potential for high batting averages and on-base percentages with high extra-base hits totals. Yorke added 15 pounds of muscle his senior season to add more power to his game, but he always projects to hit for average over power. While Yorke will move off his high school position of shortstop, the Red Sox believe he can stay in the middle of the diamond at second base.
  
  The Future: Yorke should open 2021 in low Class A. The Red Sox believe his advanced bat and uncommon maturity could allow him to jump on the fast track. .
• December, 2019 Scouting Report
  Some evaluators believe Yorke is the best pure hitter on the west coast, among high schoolers. A 6-foot, 195-pound shortstop committed to Arizona, Yorke has a long track record of performing as a high schooler, with a well-balanced swing that’s routinely on time. This spring before the coronavirus shut down the 2020 season, Yorke was tapping into a bit more power as well, hitting the ball with authority to the pull side and up the middle. He has a chance for a future plus bat and fringe-average power while handling a middle infield spot. Yorke dealt with a shoulder injury prior to his junior year and is still recovering from that, which leads some scouts to believe he’ll be a better fit as an offensive second baseman. Still, other scouts have said his arm has looked good, with a better arm stroke recently and above-average arm strength. With solid footwork, instincts and an internal clock, he has a chance to stay at shortstop, or he could slide to third base. Wherever he ends up defensively, teams love the bat that Yorke brings to the table. There are a number of teams that have Yorke evaluated in the second- or third-round range, but he could be a difficult sign out of Arizona.