The Red Sox have inked first-round pick Nick Yorke, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis (via Twitter). He’ll receive a $2.7MM bonus.
That’s well shy of the $3,609,700 slot value allocated to the 17th overall selection with which York was taken. That was the expectation when the Sox surprisingly nabbed the high-school second baseman, who wasn’t widely seen as a first-round talent entering the draft.
The Boston organization obviously had a lot of faith in Yorke. Signing him to an under-slot deal also allowed the team to make more noise in the later rounds.
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Yorke did draw one top-100 pre-draft ranking, from Baseball America. The calling card here is his hitting ability, which the Sox obviously feel bullish about. It’s not clear how much pop Yorke will develop, and there are varying views on where he’ll end up defensively, but the bat is compelling enough — in the Boston org’s view, anyway — to warrant the lofty selction.
How this guy was ranked as about the 129th best prospect going into the draft is beyond me. His hit tool is superb, if you go back and watch videos on him, he’s balanced, quick to the ball, and also has no hitch in his swing. Almost a right-handed Juan Soto. As for defense, he will have to develop that. He doesn’t really charge the ball, and his arm is fine. He’s made for second-base though, IF he can get even slightly better in the field. All in all, the dude’s a stud, and I am still mad the Rangers got Justin Foscue over literally anybody else lol.
Sox have a Jeter and a Yorke now. the greatest troll job.
ya but Nick is a New Yorke.
Dick York, Dick Seargent, Seargent York……
Lol
+1
Bosox have 5 years to build him up.
Red Sox have a New YORKE !!
I didn’t know anything about this guy when his name was called. He just wasn’t on a lot of rankings. Those rankings aren’t the be-all-end-all, if the BoSox like him. I find it a curious choice though. If he doesn’t have much pop, and the glove is questionable- what do they see? The spot seems high for a guy that, it sounds, they’re hoping just gets on base.
I wouldn’t have selected him in the 1st round when it’s clear I could have grabbed him in the 3rd. He could turn out to be the next Nomar and this 1st round selection would still be stupid.
Ok #1 reason i see that they selected him is his willingness to sign for less then the max. it allowed them to sign Blaze in the 3rd for more then the max. its simple math if they grab blaze in t he 1st they dont sign yorke in the 3rd if they grab someone else in the 1st they dont sign blaze in the 3rd.. his legacy hinges on not just his production but blaze too. if blaze turns into 1/2 of what he could be its a BIG win for the Sox.
Turn into the next Nomar and selection would still be stupid? I don’t follow your logic.
Brady was drafted in the 6th and became one of the greatest QB’s of all times. I’ll bet all the other teams that passed on him rounds 1-5 regret not drafting him. Not that’s stupid.