FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox hope they have their long-term solution at second base in 23-year-old Vaughn Grissom, who they acquired from the Braves for Chris Sale in December. Grissom is under team control through 2029.
Where does that leave top second base prospect Nick Yorke? The 2020 first round draft pick is glad Boston acquired Grissom and he thinks they could eventually co-exist together on the same big league roster. Yorke, who will turn 22 on April 2, is even open to eventually learning a new position if needed.
“To me, it’s been cool,” Yorke told MassLive at JetBlue Park. “Vaughn’s a good buddy of mine. I got to play against him a lot in High A. We get along. We’re really good friends. To me, it’s just cool to have someone that young in the position that he’s in because he’s a lot more relatable to me than some older veteran. But someone like Vaughn, he’s super approachable and I’m good friends with him. So in terms of the learning aspect of it — from someone who is kind of my age and has already been in the big leagues — to me, it’s just cool to be able to work with someone like that. I think it could only help me.”
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Yorke isn’t too far from the majors himself after spending 2023 at Double-A Portland where he batted .268 with a .350 on-base percentage, .435 slugging percentage, .785 OPS, 13 homers, 25 doubles, five triples, 74 runs, 61 RBIs, 51 walks, 122 strikeouts and 18 steals in 110 games (506 plate appearances).
Baseball America lists Yorke as the best hitter for batting average in the Red Sox system. The right-handed batter is looking to hit for a higher average, control the strike zone better and cut down his strikeout percentage this season.
“In terms of possibly changing positions, I couldn’t care less where I play,” Yorke said. “I just want to make it to the big leagues. I’m a big believer that my best is better than anyone’s best. So if I do what I’ve got to do and no matter who’s there, it doesn’t really affect me.”
Second base/middle infield is a position of strength for the Red Sox with Grissom here long-term, Yorke and top prospect Marcelo Mayer not too far from the majors and Trevor Story signed through 2027. Mayer is considered a potential plus defender at shortstop but could move to second or third base with Story at shortstop. Story also could move back to second as he has the ability to play plus defense there as he showed in 2022.
With such depth at second base, the Red Sox could consider trading one of their middle infield prospects, such as Yorke, to improve other areas of need on the roster.
“It’s not on my mind right now,” Yorke said when asked if he’s considered a potential trade with Grissom in the mix and the depth at second base. “That’s kind of all out of my control. There’s not a whole lot I can do about any of that. What I can do is come in here with a good attitude and continue to work hard and give myself the best chance to get to the big leagues. So that’s all I can do and all I’m going to do.”
MassLive ranks Yorke No. 10 on its Top 25 Red Sox prospect list.
He exploded onto the scene in 2021 when he batted .325 with a .412 on-base percentage, .516 slugging percentage, .928 OPS, 14 homers, 20 doubles, five triples, 52 walks and 69 strikeouts in 97 games (442 plate appearances) between Low-A Salem and High-A Greenville as just a 19-year-old. He got better as the year progressed.
Baseball America, which list him the system’s best hitter for average, ranks him Boston’s No. 8 prospect.
Yorke is certain he can hit for a better average than he did in 2023. He pointed to his .325 batting average in ‘21.
“I think I could even exceed the first year that I had,” Yorke said. “I think it’s still in there. I’ve just gotta come out and play consistent, good baseball. And play the baseball I know how to play and it will work out.”
Yorke values bat-to-ball skills and making hard contact. He’s not looking to hit homers but instead simply looking to hit the ball hard on a line.
“I try to hit an absolute missile right back up the middle or even at the second baseman depending on approach and how I’m feeling that day, depending on pitchers and stuff like that,” Yorke said. “But I’m old school, man. I just want to hit a liner up the middle.”
Yorke is focused on cutting down his strikeout percentage. He posted an impressive 15.6% strikeout percentage in ‘21 but it increased to 25.2% in 2022 and remained high (24.1%) last year.
“I take a lot of pride in not striking out,” Yorke said. “I don’t like being beat. So I think it’s a big stat. And I think it’s definitely something I need to work on. So yeah, just continue to work at it.”
He continued to show patience and draw walks last year. He had a 10.7% walk percentage in ‘23 and has a 10.3% walk rate in 1,321 minor league plate appearances.
“For me, it’s all about being patient and being selective on a pitch you want to swing at,” he said. “Understanding you have three strikes, so you’re allowed to use them. If he throws a good pitch, you’re allowed to tip your cap and say he threw a good pitch and hopefully he’ll make a mistake on the next one. I don’t think it’s beneficial for us as hitters to go chase their best pitches 0-0, 0-1 when you have a lot of room left. And that kind of goes back to the two-strike conversation. The more comfortable you feel with two strikes, the more selective you can be early in counts and swing at better pitches.”
He wants to continue to improve his pitch selection.
“For me, it’s always about controlling the zone better,” he said. “The more I can control the zone, lay off tougher pitches, the more advantage counts and the more hitter counts I can put myself in and hopefully have the pitcher more likely to make a mistake.”
Yorke has experienced some struggles after a dominant first season in the pros. He was limited to just 80 games in 2022 because of injuries to his toe, back and wrist. The 2023 season was a tale of two halves. He had a .286/.377/.475/.852 line in the first half but then posted a .248/.317/.388/.705 line during the second half.
He’s no longer ranked on Baseball America’s Top 100 list after being listed as high as No. 31. But he’s still so young. He was more than two and a half years younger than the average Double-A player last year.
“In terms of pressure, no, I don’t feel any pressure,” he said.
The 2021 season was his first year playing second base and he feels he has improved there each year.
“Just getting used to the angles over there and getting used to playing second base, I feel like I’ve gotten better each year,” he said. “I don’t think I could be more comfortable over there than I am right now.”
Yorke has a chance to begin the 2024 season at Triple-A Worcester. Boston must add him to its 40-man roster by next November to protect him from the December 2024 Rule 5 Draft.
“I want to have fun this year in every aspect of it,” he said. “I kind of know what to expect going into it. This is my fourth full season going into it. So for me, it’s just staying healthy, sticking to my routine every day and just coming to the field with the right mindset and giving our team the best chance to win.”
