June 10, 2020 at 8:54 PM
Red Sox select Nick Yorke with the 17th overall pick
Yorke is a bat-first middle infielder whose hit tool is his carrying tool. Per Baseball
America scouts say that York has one of the best hit tools on the west coast. MLB.com gave his hit tool a future 55 grade and described his swing as pure with an advanced approach. While he doesn’t
have much current power and projects to have below-average power moving
forward, reports had his power improving during the shortened spring season. At 6-feet, 200 pounds, the 18-year-old has a mature frame. He was announced as a second baseman, but he played shortstop in high school. Industry sources say that he has the hands, range, and instincts to play there, but he had shoulder surgery in 2018 which forced him to DH his entire junior season, and the arm strength has not yet fully returned.
Yorke is committed to the University of Arizona.
As is clear from his industry rankings, Yorke was projected to go much later
in the draft, and his selection at the 17th overall pick is likely an indication that the Red Sox had an agreement to sign him for an under-slot bonus. They are without their second-round pick this season as
a result of the sign-stealing investigation, and an under-slot deal would give
them more funds and flexibility to go over slot later in the draft.
Scouting info was compiled from industry publications including Baseball America, Perfect Game USA, ESPN, FanGraphs, The Athletic, and MLB.com.
Photo Credit: Pete Nick Yorke by Perfect Game USA.
Will Woodward is a Co-Owner and Senior Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @SPWill.