PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The numbers show a player that has come on in August. That has opened a door. Now is a second opportunity for Pirates Nick Yorke to show he can be a part of the 2026 Pirates.
The 23-year-old was recalled on Tuesday after hitting .337 last month with a .382 on base percentage that included eight doubles, a home run and five stolen bases. That jumped the average up 13 points to .287 for the year with 21 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 59 RBI.
“The numbers are great in August, but you have to do it all year round,” Yorke said. “I just look to perform here.”
That could be at any number of positions from first or second base to left or right field. Yorke said he hadn’t played first base for a couple of months, but a few weeks ago they reintroduced him to the position. The right-hander says even though he had never played there before, he’s getting comfortable with the nuances.
He said it’s like being in high school or travel ball again, he looks at the lineup card to see where he is playing and then attacks the day.
“I’m a ballplayer, whatever that number says I’m playing that day, don’t matter,” Yorke said. “I will just do whatever to win.”
Yorke said it’s different this year than the call-up after being acquired from the Red Sox for Quinn Priester in 2024. He knows the guys now, there is hardly anyone in the clubhouse he didn’t play with at Indianapolis or see in Spring Training.
“I could just tell the difference in clubhouse from last year to this year,” Yorke said. “People welcoming me with open arms. You build relationships with them in the past, to be able to see those familiar faces is fun.”
Yorke admitted, and GM Ben Cherington said this publicly, that Yorke was upset after not making the team out of camp. It affected his play. He was frustrated not to be a big leaguer.
“Tough to not make the team, it’s no one’s fault but mine,” Yorke said now with some perspective. “If I would have performed better, I would have been here. Just looking to take my recent success into the games here.”
Currently the Pirates 11th ranked prospect, he said he can’t fall into the trap of playing general manager. He’s happy to be here now and is ready to work.
“My goal is to be a big leaguer, not a AAA baseball player,” Yorke said. “I’m going to do what I can to stick.”