Pirates promote red-hot trade deadline addition for MLB debut

The Pittsburgh Pirates' hottest hitting prospect in Triple-A Indianapolis is getting a long awaited call-up to the big leagues.

According to a report from Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are promoting infield prospect Nick Yorke, who is with the team in St. Louis ahead of Monday's series opener against the Cardinals. The Pirates already had an opening for Yorke on their 40-man roster but optioned Alika Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move to create a space on the active roster.

Yorke, Pittsburgh's No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in July as part of a trade deadline deal that sent former first-round pick Quinn Priester to Boston. Yorke, also a first-round pick (No. 17 overall) in 2020, has been on a tear since his arrival in Indianapolis, slashing .355/.431/.507 with two home runs and seven stolen bases over 40 games.

On the season, Yorke has slashed .303/.385/.449 with 12 home runs and 21 stolen bases between the Double- and Triple-A levels. Yorke has primarily been deployed as a middle infielder throughout his career, but a pair of recent starts in the outfield for Indianapolis could indicate that that's where the Pirates plan to give him regular playing time at the Major League level.

While he primarily bounced between second base and left field during his time in the Red Sox organization, Yorke has also seen time at shortstop, third base and the two other outfield spots with Indianapolis. Yorke was also Rule 5 eligible this offseason, giving the Pirates an added incentive to add him to the 40-man roster and see what he can do at the next level.

With Nick Yorke's promotion, Pirates appear to be early winners in deadline deal with Red Sox

So far, the deadline trade that sent Yorke to the Pirates is not looking favorable for the Red Sox. Priester, who Boston received in the deal, has a 5.67 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Worcester. Admittedly, it's a small sample size, so there is still plenty of time for the narrative to change.

Either way, the offense-hungry Pirates dealt from their pitching depth to get exactly what they needed in the deal with the Red Sox. Regardless of what position he plays, the hope is that Yorke's bat will stay hot in the big leagues.

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