Boston Red Sox: 10 bold predictions for the 2022 season

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FT. MYERS, FL – FEBRUARY 24: Nick Yorke #80 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the MGM Sox at Sundown spring training team night workout on February 24, 2021 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Red Sox prospect Nick Yorke makes his MLB debut

There was a lot of confusion when the Red Sox took Nick Yorke at 17th in the 2020 draft. After all, Yorke was the 139th ranked prospect by MLB.com and came to the Red Sox with a minimal track record, a history of shoulder injuries, and a reputation as a poor defender. With the Red Sox without a second-round pick in that year’s draft, many theorized that they only took Yorke to save money later in the draft, which they used on high school phenom Blaze Jordan.

Yorke, however, has proved to be more than worth the pick. The second baseman won the Red Sox minor league offensive player of the year by slashing an incredible .325/.412/.516 and displaying more power than scouts believed he had. He did that while walking nearly as often as he struck out and actually posted a higher OPS upon his promotion to High-A Salem.

Yorke may only be entering his age 20 season and beginning the season back in A-ball, but he has the advanced approach to move quickly up the system. The Red Sox have All-Star caliber players at both second base and shortstops, but the understudies at the position (Jonathan Arauz, Rob Refysnder, Yolmer Sanchez) are underwhelming at best. If Yorke can continue to dominate the upper minors like he did A-ball, he should make his MLB debut in 2022.

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