Nick Yorke

[The Gray Eagle]

2020 first round pick infielder Nick Yorke, aka "They drafted WHO in the first round?!?!"

Position: Second Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-0, 200lb (183cm, 90kg)
Born: April 2, 2002


The Athletic has a good profile of Yorke:
https://theathletic.com/2420940/2021/03/02/red-sox-nick-yorke-draft/

The Red Sox shocked the baseball world in June when they selected Yorke with the 17th overall pick. Though he had been recognized as one of the best California high school hitters in the draft, the industry consensus was that he’d land somewhere from the second to fourth rounds. Yorke had shoulder surgery after his sophomore year in 2019 and spent his junior year at designated hitter. He returned to the field for the start of his senior season at Archbishop Mitty. He played just five games, collecting eight hits, including two homers and a double, before the pandemic shut everything down.

To say that prospect-watchers were surprised would be an understatement.

The Athletic’s Keith Law didn’t have Yorke among his top 100 prospects, MLB.com had Yorke as its No. 137 prospect in the draft and Baseball America placed him at No. 99. When the Red Sox made their pick, some of MLB Network commentators broadcasting the draft live were speechless.

“He’s taken a lot of criticism and he hasn’t even had a chance to prove himself,” said Labandeira. “I felt like the draft day for him, a day that should have been really special, a couple guys on TV didn’t make it very special.”

Bloom was steadfastly confident in his evaluators.

“I think our scouting staff gets a lot of credit getting to know Nick really well and having a longstanding relationship with him, and so I think the missed spring didn’t affect our perception of him as much as it might have otherwise,” Bloom said the night they selected Yorke. “This staff has a tremendous track record with high school hitters and so does our player development staff and getting the most out of them. So when there was the type of conviction on his bat that we had in Nick’s, it was something we felt we needed to act on.”

The article highlights Yorke's work ethic, and notes he had a batting cage in his backyard growing up:

The Yorke family built a batting cage in their backyard when Yorke was in eighth grade, so Nick would join Zachary in the backyard for another round of hitting in the afternoon.
“You don’t hit the way he hits unless you have a cage in your backyard,” Labandeira said. “I’m surprised his bedroom isn’t in that cage.”

Yorke joined the Red Sox alternate site in Pawtucket last summer after some other prospects moved up:

Yorke impressed, holding his own in the intrasquad games against advanced Red Sox pitchers like Bryan Mata, who features a 98-mph fastball.

“It was completely different. I remember that first pitch he threw me, he threw for a ball, but I was like, ‘I didn’t know a ball could move like that.’” Yorke said at the time. “So, then I put on the batting gloves and just tried to compete, put a barrel on a ball and do the work.”

In his first six plate appearances, he went 3-for-4 with two walks, two doubles and a single.

Yorke played most of his high school career at shortstop, but the Red Sox have opted to transition him to second, in part as a result of the shoulder surgery two years ago. Over the six weeks in the instructional league, Yorke worked every day with Fox on the intricacies of the position: arm angles, footwork, glove positioning, getting the ball out quicker, and turning double plays from a different side. They are all things that seem like easy adjustments, but ingraining them so that it becomes muscle memory is key to excelling at the position.

“He really did a good job of catching the ball, his fundamentals were actually pretty good for a high school kid, so building off of that,” Fox said.

Yorke has apparently dropped 25 pounds since last year:

By early February, Yorke had dropped 25 pounds, becoming leaner but still maintaining his strength.

“I think the more impressive thing was the shape that he was in,” Fox said. “He really put in some good work in the offseason as far as physically, kind of leaned down in a strong way, and was moving so much better, so that was really refreshing.”

Yorke will likely get into a few more big-league games this spring and then remain in Fort Myers once the Red Sox head north and minor-league camp begins in April. He’ll most likely break camp with Single-A Salem.

Here's his first professional at-bat, the other day against the Twins.

"One of the best relievers in baseball last year vs. a kid out of HS that has never has a minor league at-bat:":
View: https://twitter.com/redsoxstats/status/1366479801691815939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1366479801691815939%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F2420940%2F2021%2F03%2F02%2Fred-sox-nick-yorke-draft%2F

Edit:
Here's his minor league stats page:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=yorke-000nic

2021 game log and splits:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=yorke-000nic&type=bgl&year=2021

 

[ColdSoxPack]

Great story. Nothing not to like about this kid. And he got a hit in his first spring training at bat. Didn't see the game today so not sure if he played again.

P.S. He walked

 

[joe dokes]

I read stuff like that, and I wonder if, for kids like this, *not* playing games and instead just having what amounts to all-day coaching clinics, might actually be better for development. (or at least not worse).

 

[DeadlySplitter]

He has the makeup for sure. The big detraction is he's 18 and already ruled out of SS I think, all the upside is in the bat. Ceiling is Pedroia I'd think?

 

[mwonow]

He has the makeup for sure. The big detraction is he's 18 and already ruled out of SS I think, all the upside is in the bat. Ceiling is Pedroia I'd think?

That's not a ceiling, that's heaven

 

[DeadlySplitter]

That's not a ceiling, that's heaven

that's a ceiling... dream big!

but I admit that was a sloppy comparison since we have no idea on the defense at the moment

 

[nighthob]

I think he was ruled off SS due to the shoulder injury and ensuing arm strength. Not the glove per se.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

He does seem small... and I get the worry in that it seems good/great 2B tend to start out as SS or 3B and end up at 2B rather than just starting there due to not being able to handle the other positions at younger ages.
Off the top of my head, I can't think of any 2B that came into and up through the minors as exclusive 2B.
That said.... everything I've read about this kid is pretty exciting. It also just hit me that the newest kids in the system are all born after 2000.

 

[LogansDad]

I think he was ruled off SS due to the shoulder injury and ensuing arm strength. Not the glove per se.

That's what I'm reading, too. He has the makeup for short, but they they don't want to risk his arm.

 

[thehitcat]

Pedroia was a SS in his pre-Professional days as well and while he didn't end up with the arm to stay his arm translated as above average at 2nd so I hope for the best while we enjoy watching the kid grow up.

 

[jon abbey]

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any 2B that came into and up through the minors as exclusive 2B.

Roberto Alomar and Ryne Sandberg were the two I looked up, both were basically exclusively 2B in the bigs, Alomar never really played anywhere else in the minors and Sandberg played a bit of SS.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

Marty Barrett is another example.

 

[ColdSoxPack]

Jeter Downs is the SS/2B of the future, yes no? So what is the track for Yorke?

 

[sean1562]

Downs is 23 in July while Yorke is 19 in a month. If Yorke is anywhere near the majors in the next three years then we can worry about the transition from Downs to Yorke. Who knows if Downs is ever a successful major leaguer?

 

[nighthob]

Jeter Downs is the SS/2B of the future, yes no? So what is the track for Yorke?

If Downs really is the 2B of the future and Yorke proves to be for real, then he’s really valuable trade bait.

 

[Heating up in the bullpen]

David Laurila has a piece up on FanGraphs talking hitting with Nick Yorke.

Yorke went to the same high school as Mitch Haniger (years apart) and worked out with Haniger over the winter.

Here's one exchange from the article:
"Laurila: How would you describe your setup and your swing?
Yorke: “I’m very relaxed. I try not to think in the box. I’m a big believer in you’re working on what you need to work on in the cage, then once you get in the game it’s just go-time. Go have fun, clear your mind, and just be relaxed. When I’m in the box, I focus on my breathing. From there, I just try to zone in on the pitch I’m looking for. So I would say I’m relaxed, slow load, and then explosive. I try to be short, quick, and as powerful as possible.”

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/red-sox-2020-first-rounder-nick-yorke-talks-hitting/

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

Obviously very early, but he’s at .200/.264/.215 with one XBH and 8 errors. Not ideal.

 

[JimD]

Obviously very early, but he’s at .200/.264/.215 with one XBH and 8 errors. Not ideal.

The errors are not ideal at all, but he's got to be one of the younger players in that league, no?

 

[jon abbey]

The errors are not ideal at all, but he's got to be one of the younger players in that league, no?

Yes, third youngest player in the league as of a few weeks ago.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/youngest-minor-league-players-by-league-in-2021/?amphtml

 

[burstnbloom]

Yes, third youngest player in the league as of a few weeks ago.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/youngest-minor-league-players-by-league-in-2021/?amphtml

Ya this was a pretty aggressive assignment for Yorke. be patient, he turned 19 a month ago.

 

[The Talented Allen Ripley]

Ya this was a pretty aggressive assignment for Yorke. be patient, he turned 19 a month ago.

I suspect he'd have been placed at Lowell this year, unfortunately there's no more short-season Low-A league anymore due to minor league contraction.

 

[burstnbloom]

I suspect he'd have been placed at Lowell this year, unfortunately there's no more short-season Low-A league anymore due to minor league contraction.

almost certainly. He would have been in the gcl last year after signing if there wasn’t a pandemic. Low A is an aggressive assignment and we should expect an adjustment period.

 

[nvalvo]

View: https://twitter.com/IanCundall/status/1400830323965956098

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Last 19 games: .368/.463/.544, .421 BAbip. 7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR. 11bb/11k. 82 PA

Now up to .265/.353/.354 on a .328 BAbip in 170 PA, 19bb/32k.

The 11bb/11k in his last 82 PA is good to see. Hitting for a bit more power too.

 

[nattysez]

Nick Yorke with his 3rd home run in the past 10 games. He's basically hitting 400/500/600 over the last month +. Unreal.

View: https://twitter.com/redsoxstats/status/1412560687814037504?s=19

 

[burstnbloom]

He's sitting at 297/382/413 at 19 in Low A which is crazy given that his first 82 at bats yielded a .195/264/220 line. His splits are bananas

May - 82 at bats - .195/.264/.220 8 walks, 21K
June - 69 at bats - .348/.446/.507 11 walks, 11k
July - 21 at bats - .524/.600/.857 4 walks, 3 k

we might have something here. I tried to find the tweet but as of last week he had yet to face a pitcher his age or younger. He's obviously on a long term heater here but it will be interesting to see how this levels off. He might be ready for Greenville by the end of the year, as a 19 year old. Maybe Chaim does know what he's doing.

 

[bluefenderstrat]

He's sitting at 297/382/413 at 19 in Low A which is crazy given that his first 82 at bats yielded a .195/264/220 line. His splits are bananas

May - 82 at bats - .195/.264/.220 8 walks, 21K
June - 69 at bats - .348/.446/.507 11 walks, 11k
July - 21 at bats - .524/.600/.857 4 walks, 3 k

we might have something here. I tried to find the tweet but as of last week he had yet to face a pitcher his age or younger. He's obviously on a long term heater here but it will be interesting to see how this levels off. He might be ready for Greenville by the end of the year, as a 19 year old. Maybe Chaim does know what he's doing.

It will be ironic if Nick Yorke makes us forget Blaze Jordan 3 years from now.

 

[billy ashley]

Despite Jordan's loud power skill and celebrity from hitting moonshots as a 13-year-old, almost every publication had Yorke ahead of Jordan after the draft.

Blaze Jordan is a nice prospect. Yorke is clearly the better protect, though. They both profile as bat-first players, so there is a lot of risk for both of them.

 

[burstnbloom]

It will be ironic if Nick Yorke makes us forget Blaze Jordan 3 years from now.

I'm a Blaze fan but he's helpful for context on Yorke. Sox Prospects have said that he had a good showing at XST and he's just started with the FCL Red Sox and has 14 at bats. He's only 8 months younger than Yorke and is just starting to get his feet wet in complex ball when Yorke played in spring training games with the Sox and is raking in low A. It's a very encouraging performance at an aggressive assignment.

 

[Dduncan6er]

If anything those April struggles should serve him well as his career goes on. Probably the first time in his life he's faced major adversity at the plate and he clearly made some adjustments and is raking once again.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Last 26 games: 116 PA/97 AB, .392/.483/.588, .438 BAbip. 13 xbh/3 HR. 16bb/15k.
Last 11 games: 55 PA/47 AB, .426/.509/.681, .472 BAbip. 6 xbh/3HR. 8bb/8k.

Season Vs R: .329/.422/.464 in 164 PA. 12 xbh/3HR. 22bb/26k.
Season vs L: .167/.211/.194 in 38 PA. 1 xbh. 2bb/10k.

I don't know what to think of that split.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Hasn't played for the last week due to back soreness. I'm guessing it's minor and the Sox are just being overly cautious like they usually are.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Last 46 games: 211 PA, .381/.474/.585, .409 BAbip. 6 HR, 26bb/23k.
Only bad thing thing is 7 sb/6 cs. Seriously, 23k in 211 PA as a 19 year old in Salem?

Currently on a 19 game hitting streak: .382/.467/.605, 9bb/7k. 4 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HRs.

For the year, he's now spotting a .318/.408/.463 line with 34bb/44k in 299 PA.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Last 54 games: 250 PA/207 AB, .377/.472/.614 on a .389 BAbip. 33bb/25k. 11 doubles, 4 triples, 10 HRs. He has just as many XBH hits over the last 54 games as strikeouts.

After his hitting streak ended at 21 games, he went into a 3 game funk where he went 0/9 with 2bb/1k.

The 5 games since he is 11/23 with a double, a triple, 3 HRs, 2bb/2k.

his first 22 games this season: 96 PA/87 AB, .195/.260/.230 on a .258 BAbip with 8bb/22k.
his first 11 games this season: 48 PA/45 AB, .156/.208/.178 on a .250 BAbip with 3bb/17k.

Or in other words, the first 11 games he struck out 17 times in 48 PA. In his last 65 games, he has struck out 30 times in 298. That's some serious growth over the course of a season.

Kinda wish they'd give him a few Greenville PA to end the year. A 19 year old with that type of plate recognition and power is something.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Last 54 games: 250 PA/207 AB, .377/.472/.614 on a .389 BAbip. 33bb/25k. 11 doubles, 4 triples, 10 HRs. He has just as many XBH hits over the last 54 games as strikeouts.

After his hitting streak ended at 21 games, he went into a 3 game funk where he went 0/9 with 2bb/1k.

The 5 games since he is 11/23 with a double, a triple, 3 HRs, 2bb/2k.

his first 22 games this season: 96 PA/87 AB, .195/.260/.230 on a .258 BAbip with 8bb/22k.
his first 11 games this season: 48 PA/45 AB, .156/.208/.178 on a .250 BAbip with 3bb/17k.

Or in other words, the first 11 games he struck out 17 times in 48 PA. In his last 65 games, he has struck out 30 times in 298. That's some serious growth over the course of a season.

Kinda wish they'd give him a few Greenville PA to end the year. A 19 year old with that type of plate recognition and power is something.

Your wish has been granted.

View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1429859561612120074

 

[amRadio]

He could be setting up for a Mookie-style fast rise. The MLB team could sure use a bat as it stands right now and we're likely going to watch JD leave town this offseason.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

He could be setting up for a Mookie-style fast rise. The MLB team could sure use a bat as it stands right now and we're likely going to watch JD leave town this offseason.

Even without a Mookie style fast rise, mid 2023 isn't an aggressive ETA at all. Some time in 2022 obviously is, but Mookie, Xander, Ben10, Devers happen now and then. Another thing to consider is his hitting is more advanced than his fielding.

 

[amRadio]

I would not be shocked if one of the extra 2 September roster spots belongs to Yorke in 2022.

 

[nvalvo]

What Yorke and Blaze Jordan — only 13 PA in A-ball after a torrid FCL stint, but they are .273/.385/.818 — doing is pretty great.

 

[nighthob]

He could be setting up for a Mookie-style fast rise. The MLB team could sure use a bat as it stands right now and we're likely going to watch JD leave town this offseason.

He's gotten so torrid that I suspect that a '23 callup is in the cards for him. I'm guessing that next year they'll aggressively get him to Portland after some time in Greenville. And I'm guessing that he starts '23 in Worcester, but that bat will carry him quickly.

 

[soxhop411]

View: https://twitter.com/Energy51/status/1430717159915888642
Damn that’s loud

 

[nighthob]

He clubbed that like a baby seal.

 

[amRadio]

OK, that's it, I am no longer capable of being rational about Nick Yorke. I love Nick Yorke.

 

[billy ashley]

It was before the home run, but the SP podcast had a pretty lengthy segment about Yorke this week.

They basically said early reports were that while he had a great approach, there was a bit of an adjustment period (normal). Earlier SP discussions (not on the podcast) indicated while he'd been putting up good at bats, he wasn't really driving with authority.


Those reports are all evolving fast. The approach is still great, the bat to ball is still great. He has an exciting offensive profile and may not really be challenged in earnest until AA. Some scouts they spoke to believe he could make it to the majors just on the hit tool, even if nothing else developed. However, as we can see over the past couple months, he's been hitting the ball with authority in games.

The holes in his game are that while he's fundamentally sound at second, he lacks fluidity in the infield. He could be an average 2B but you probably can't hope for much more than that just because he lacks the twitchy athleticism to get there. His movements and hands are all fine though. There is also a question/ concern about his foot speed (he's already a below-average runner). All this is worth noting, but if his bat continues to develop as it has, he could easily be an asset at OF or maybe even 1B (this is not to say he should move, he's fine there, now. He just is limited in terms of 2B upside).

Between Yorke and Blaze Jordan last year's draft looks really great. Is there any question that those two would be picked higher than their respective selections if there was a redraft today?

 

[Cesar Crespo]

OK, that's it, I am no longer capable of being rational about Nick Yorke. I love Nick Yorke.

Heh, I held back on saying it because it's not very likely... but if he doesn't miss a step in Greenville, it's possible he starts next year in Portland. It would be aggressive and Jeter Downs may give them some pause about having a guy basically skip over a level, but I think there's a slim possibility. If a bunch of people believe his bat may not really be challenged until AA, even more reason to start him in AA. I'd put this chance at around 1-5%, so it's very remote.

I also live close to Portland and make it a point to see any prospect of note so I hope that's the case. If it's not, I doubt I see much of him in Portland because he won't be there long. With my luck he'll have Bello disease anyway and only perform well on the road.

Yorke has to be the most exciting prospect in Salem/Greenville since Devers? I guess some might say Casas but at the same age and level, Yorke greatly outperformed him. Speaking of Casas, he got rewarded at the end of the 2019 season with a promotion to A+. He spent 2 games there. He started 2021 in AA. People have been heavily focused on Downs struggles and his skipping of AA, but no one really talks about Casas skipping over A+. This is another sign in favor of Yorke starting 2022 in Portland.

 

[soxhop411]

View: https://twitter.com/GreenvilleDrive/status/1432101749284818950

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Pretty easy top 100 prospect imho. Can’t ignore early success like this.

 

[TimScribble]

Yorke is officially 99 on the BA top 100 now. Some other prospects graduated.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Yorke is officially 99 on the BA top 100 now. Some other prospects graduated.

Seems conservative. I'd think he'll be higher on the end of season lists. I'd have him 3rd in the Sox system behind Casas (1st) and Mayer but I'm aggressive and heavily favor ceiling over floor. I'm also willing to overlook how raw he is on defense and the base paths because of his age and how advanced the bat is. The rest of his game probably won't catch up to his bat for another 2-3 years, but it's possible he's in the Majors by then. There's a slight chance he starts in Portland next year. At the very least it's hard not to see him finishing 2022 in AA, unless he has a very underwhelming 2022. I also don't see how anyone could really rank him behind Gilberto Jimenez or Jeter Downs. Tanner Houck is no longer a prospect. Duran and Bello, maybe. At worst, he's 5th.

Casas was ranked 70th after his age 19 season at the same level. He put up a .256/.350/.480 line in 500 PA with 58bb/118k and 51 extra base hits on a .303 BAbip. Currently, Yorke is at .329/.417/.520 in 374 PA with 44bb/56k and 33 xbh on a .365 BAbip. I'm guessing Yorke is in the 70 range on most lists this offseason. I am higher on Yorke after his 1st full season than Casas, though I was and still am very high on Casas (obviously). Casas has/had more power, Yorke has/had the better hit tool and eye. Yorke may also be able to stick at a more valuable defensive position.

Last night he was 0/2 with 2bb and a k. He's been on at least twice in all 6 games he's played at the A+ level. He also has 4 multi hit games. The only concern so far is the 3bb/9k in 28 PA. 28 PA is way too small a sample size to worry about K% though.

Season Vs R: .329/.422/.464 in 164 PA. 12 xbh/3HR. 22bb/26k.
Season vs L: .167/.211/.194 in 38 PA. 1 xbh. 2bb/10k.

I don't know what to think of that split.

Season Vs R: 350/.433/.528 in 289 PA. 24 xbh/9 HR. 32bb/38k.
Season vs L: .224/.328/.431 in 67 PA. 6 xbh/2 HR. 9bb/12k.

Last 29 PA vs L: 7bb/2k. 5 xbh. Raised his average by .057/.117/.237 vs L during that stretch. Hard to make any thing of it either way because 29 PA and 67 PA are way too small. I'm guessing he's made adjustments but it could just as easily be static. 2bb/10k in 38 PA to 7bb/2k in 29 PA is quite impressive though.

He's also had 0 PA against pitchers younger than him this season.

I'm really in awe with how drastic his season flipped around after his first 80ish PA. Casas also struggled a bit in his first 80ish PA, though not nearly as bad as Yorke. (.648 OPS in 88 PA for Casas (.870 the rest of the way, 412 PA), .440 OPS in 88 PA for Yorke (1.098 in the 286 PA since).

 

[burstnbloom]

Seems conservative. I'd think he'll be higher on the end of season lists. I'd have him 3rd in the Sox system behind Casas (1st) and Mayer but I'm aggressive and heavily favor ceiling over floor. I'm also willing to overlook how raw he is on defense and the base paths because of his age and how advanced the bat is. The rest of his game probably won't catch up to his bat for another 2-3 years, but it's possible he's in the Majors by then. There's a slight chance he starts in Portland next year. At the very least it's hard not to see him finishing 2022 in AA, unless he has a very underwhelming 2022. I also don't see how anyone could really rank him behind Gilberto Jimenez or Jeter Downs. Tanner Houck is no longer a prospect. Duran and Bello, maybe. At worst, he's 5th.

Casas was ranked 70th after his age 19 season at the same level. He put up a .256/.350/.480 line in 500 PA with 58bb/118k and 51 extra base hits on a .303 BAbip. Currently, Yorke is at .329/.417/.520 in 374 PA with 44bb/56k and 33 xbh on a .365 BAbip. I'm guessing Yorke is in the 70 range on most lists this offseason. I am higher on Yorke after his 1st full season than Casas, though I was and still am very high on Casas (obviously). Casas has/had more power, Yorke has/had the better hit tool and eye. Yorke may also be able to stick at a more valuable defensive position.

Last night he was 0/2 with 2bb and a k. He's been on at least twice in all 6 games he's played at the A+ level. He also has 4 multi hit games. The only concern so far is the 3bb/9k in 28 PA. 28 PA is way too small a sample size to worry about K% though.




Season Vs R: 350/.433/.528 in 289 PA. 24 xbh/9 HR. 32bb/38k.
Season vs L: .224/.328/.431 in 67 PA. 6 xbh/2 HR. 9bb/12k.

Last 29 PA vs L: 7bb/2k. 5 xbh. Raised his average by .057/.117/.237 vs L during that stretch. Hard to make any thing of it either way because 29 PA and 67 PA are way too small. I'm guessing he's made adjustments but it could just as easily be static. 2bb/10k in 38 PA to 7bb/2k in 29 PA is quite impressive though.

He's also had 0 PA against pitchers younger than him this season.

I'm really in awe with how drastic his season flipped around after his first 80ish PA. Casas also struggled a bit in his first 80ish PA, though not nearly as bad as Yorke. (.648 OPS in 88 PA for Casas (.870 the rest of the way, 412 PA), .440 OPS in 88 PA for Yorke (1.098 in the 286 PA since).

I'm wondering if the reverse split over a small sample is representative of his beginning of the season adjustment. It's hard to remember this guy graduated high school 15 months ago. I wonder how many pro quality left handers he has ever seen and I'm leaning towards a larger sample brings with it the kind of adjustments we've seen with his overall line. He started very slowly, then started hitting but no power, then the power started coming. I wonder if we'll see a similar progression against lefties as he sees more and gets more comfortable. Something to watch.

I've not been this excited about a young hitter in the system since Devers, who had a .779 OPS as a 18 year old in Salem.

He had a .819 OPS in Boston the next season....