Rum Bunter's top 10 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects: Where does Konnor Griffin debut?

Number Seven: Nick Yorke

Coming in at number seven is one of the Pirates' newest additions in Nick Yorke. The Boston Red Sox originally drafted Yorke in the first round of the 2020 draft. He was then traded by the Red Sox to the Bucs at this past trade deadline in exchange for another former first-round pick, Quinn Priester. He's currently in the midst of one of his best seasons yet, and is off to a scorching hot start in the Pirates' system.

Yorke has 392 total plate appearances between the Red Sox's Double-A and Triple-A teams, as well as in limited time at Triple-A Indianapolis. He is batting .284/.368/.428 with a .361 wOBA, and 118 wRC+. Yorke has struck out just 18.1% of the time with a quality 11.2% walk rate. He's never been a big power hitter, though, and has a .144 isolated slugging percentage on the year with 10 home runs.

Yorke has only appeared in six games with 26 plate appearances in the Pirates' system, but has already racked up eight hits, including three doubles. He has drawn two walks and has struck out just three times. It's a small sample size, but you can't ask for anything much better than a 142 wRC+ first impression.

Overall, Yorke has a .906 OPS, .403 wOBA, and 137 wRC+ since reaching Triple-A. Yorke's underlying numbers are also very promising. His 91.8 MPH exit velocity is the 15th best among minor-league batters with at least 150 plate appearances at Triple-A or A-ball (only levels with Statcast data available). He also has a whiff rate below 19% and a launch angle of 12 degrees. 

Yorke projects to possess an above-average hit tool. He's made significant strides to cut down on his swing and miss. The downside? His power only comes in at a fringe 45-grade level. Yorke is also a fringy runner, but has the instincts to play second base. He doesn't have a strong arm, and Yorke has gotten some work in left field this season for experimentation purposes.

Yorke has a similar projection to Adam Frazier. He is a second base/left field type who may never hit for much power, but won't strike out much and hits for a good average. Yorke is only 22, and given how well he's hit at Triple-A, both for the Red Sox and the Pirates' affiliates, he may be on the verge of his big league debut.