How did new WooSox infielder Nick Yorke do in his Triple-A debut?
The Red Sox promoted Nick Yorke from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.
Yorke spent the last two seasons playing for the Portland Sea Dogs but is now just one step away from the big leagues.
The No. 8-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system, according to Baseball America, batted sixth in the lineup and played second base.
Yorke made a couple of impressive plays in the field, including a slow roller that he had to shovel out of his glove to first baseman Niko Kavadas for the first out of the game.
He also collected his first base knock of his Triple-A career, belting a base hit into right field in the fifth inning. Yorke would also walk in the third, and he stole a base. In total, he finished the night 1-for-4 and also struck out swinging in his first at-bat.
The 22-year-old learned of his promotion to Triple-A following the Sea Dogs 12-5 win on Tuesday.
“I was shocked,” said Yorke before the game at Polar Park. “‘I said, are you serious?’ Like, I was excited to get going up, but yeah, it was cool.
“I mean, they brought me to the office. Abes (Brian Abraham) was in there. We had a bunch of coordinators in there, and you know, they just said, keep working and keep being yourself. Don't try to be anyone else,” added Yorke.
While with the WooSox, Yorke will play second base and will also see time in left field and right field, according to manager Chad Tracy.
Prior to the game, Yorke said he still doesn’t feel 100% locked in at the plate this season. He's hit .251/.325/.366 and has driven in 27 runs in 45 games.
“To be where I’m at now, it’s a good feeling to have, to feel like I’m not locked in and still be able to produce the way I have,” Yorke said. “So now, just now coming into a new park, new fans, I just try to find comfortability in the box and get used to the stadium.”
With the pressure of getting his first Triple-A hit out of the way, Yorke can get acclimated to his new team and begin working towards the next phase of his young career and earning a promotion to the Red Sox.
