March 24, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned infield prospect
Nick Yorke to Triple-A Indianapolis. Yorke was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will instead continue his development at the top level of the minor leagues. During camp, Yorke held a modest .206/.310/.265 slash line. Even with infielder
Spencer Horwitz (wrist) expected to miss time early in the season, Yorke was unable to crack the Opening Day roster. Last season, Yorke received a brief taste of the majors and held a .216/.286/.378 slash line across 11 contests. He spent most of the campaign at the Triple-A level and performed quite well. Across 78 games at the level, split between time in Worcester and Indianapolis, the former 17th overall selection posted a strong .222/.420/.498 slash line with 25 doubles and 13 stolen bases. If he continues to perform at this level at Triple-A, he should push for an early return to the majors.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alex Stumpf
March 19, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates first base prospect
Nick Yorke could make the Opening Day roster. Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted that with
Darick Hall and
Matt Gorski being assigned to minor-league camp, Yorke could have a path to making the roster. He also noted that infield prospect
Billy Cook could also be in the mix as well. In spring training, Yorke has held a .233/.342/.300 slash line with a 6:10 BB:K. Last summer, Yorke made his MLB debut and tallied eight hits (with two home runs) across his first 11 MLB contests. In the minor leagues, he spent time at the Double and Triple-A level. In 78 games at Triple-A, Yorke posted an impressive .333/.420/.498 slash line with 25 doubles and eight round-trippers. If he were to make the roster, he would likely serve as a depth option in the infield and only be worth rostering in NL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Noah Hiles
February 19, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates second base prospect
Nick Yorke could shift to first base to replace the injured
Spencer Horwitz (hand). During the start of camp, Yorke has primarily seen work at second base, which is where he has spent most of his brief stint in the majors. However, in the minor leagues, Yorke saw time at the hot corner and the outfield. First base coach
Don Kelly told the former first-round selection to get a first base glove, which could open the door for a position change. Horwitz was slated to be the team's Opening Day first baseman but is now projected to miss six to eight weeks due to his surgery. During his brief 11-game stint in the majors, York posted a .216/.286/.378 line. Across 78 career games at Triple-A, Yorke posted a strong .333/.420/.498 line. If he has a productive spring, he could contend with
Nick Gonzales or
Jared Triolo for starts at second or first base.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andrew Destin
February 3, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates are still looking for someone to step up as an everyday right fielder in 2025, but MLB.com's Alex Stumpf writes that
Nick Yorke is a second baseman by trade and might not be an everyday outfielder from a defensive perspective. Both Yorke and
Billy Cook were acquired at last year's trade deadline, with Yorke having the higher pedigree -- he's the team's first prospect on MLB Pipeline's top-100 list. Other players in Pittsburgh battling for an outfield spot in spring training will be
Joshua Palacios,
Jack Suwinski,
Bryce Johnson and
Nick Solak. The 22-year-old Yorke has the most offensive upside of the bunch but has played only four games in right field as a professional in the minors. If the Bucs aren't impressed with his glove this spring, he could open the year at Triple-A Indianapolis for more seasoning. With regular playing time, though, Yorke is a power-speed sleeper in deeper fantasy formats.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
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