At the trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Pirates dealt RHP Quinn Priester to the Red Sox for a talented prospect in Nick Yorke. With a plethora of pitching, the Pirates used their depth to add a player in Yorke, who they hope can be a key piece of the future. So far, he has not disappointed in his new organization and has built on his strong start to the season.
Through 14 games for the Indianapolis Indians, Yorke has posted a .392 batting average in 51 at-bats. He has also shown some power with six doubles and has been one of the Indians' best hitters. Since joining the Pirates Triple-A affiliate, Yorke has at least one hit in 13 of the 14 games he has played in.
While Yorke has made headlines with his bat, he has also been solid in the field. The former first-round pick has only committed two errors and played all over the diamond. He has made appearances at second base and in left field and center field. His ability to play multiple positions could help him reach the majors quickly, as the Pirates, with the exception of Bryan Reynolds, haven't gotten much production from their outfielders.
As the season winds down, Yorke will be a player to watch. Entering play on Friday, the Pirates had lost ten straight games and were in last place in the NL Central. The likelihood of them giving their prospects a look as they focus on 2025 and beyond has increased, and Yorke is one of the first players who could get a call.
Regardless of the team this year, Yorke has been a hits machine. Before the trade, he had appeared in 38 games for the WooSox and posted a .310 batting average. He has built on his success in Indianapolis and is very deserving of a look before the 2024 season comes to a close.