1-17-25 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
Following a bit of a bashing in last week’s article, I have decided to go more positive with this week’s topic. So start spreading the news because my 2025 breakout pick is none other than Nick Yorke.
And, for the record, I started writing this prior to the SI article coming out recently.
The base numbers over his admittedly small sample size in Pittsburgh weren’t great (a .664 OPS in 42 plate appearances and below average defense) but a look under the hood indicates that he could surprise some fans in 2025.
Acquired from the Red Sox in exchange for 2019 first rounder, RHP Quinn Priester at this past year’s trade deadline, Nick Yorke is a fellow former first round draft pick from the 2020 season. He was consistently ranked among the top in Red Sox Prospect rankings and currently ranks 6th in a top-heavy Pirates farm system, per MLB Pipeline.
Yorke excelled following the trade in Indianapolis, slashing .355/.431/.507 through 175 plate appearances in 40 games before getting called up in September.
The guy has hit at every level, and has been hitting harder contact more often in the higher levels. Over his stretch with Indy, he posted a 49.6% Hard Hit rate with average exit velocity of 91.3 MPH and MaxEV of 110.9.
For MLB comparisons, the average EV number would match with the Tigers Riley Greene and the now-Texas Ranger, Jake Burger, while the max EV would have matched the marks of Padres Jake Cronenworth and now-Diamondbacks player, Josh Naylor.
That’s not to say that Yorke will exactly translate those numbers from his minor league performance to the majors in this upcoming season but it does show that there is no lack of ability there.
Even in his small sample time with the Bucs, his xBA of .290 was well above his actual batting average (.216) due in part to half of his 26 batted ball events ranking as hard hit and 4 of them being barreled balls – or 15.4%, a higher rate than all but 12 qualified hitters in 2024.
Defensively, his home is up in the air. He’s logged the most innings throughout his professional career at second base but has also has experience in the outfield, a place where there would be more opportunities to get him in the field and in the lineup – especially as the organization has been linked to multiple free agents but thus far signed none.
His sprint speed of 28.9 feet/second is in the 90th percentile among major leaguers and if he could utilize that to cover ground in a corner outfield spot, his bat will keep him in the lineup.
As far as expectations, most projections have him as a part-time player with limited roles and production for the team given his lack of an open position but, with a strong spring training and enough opportunities, I would look to expect some BIG things from Yorke in 2025.
Steel City Pirates 