Eighteen years old. That is the age of the Monday's second baseman.
It was a first. But it didn't stop there.
Not only did Nick Yorke appear in the Red Sox' JetBlue Park opener less than a year after graduating from Archbishop Mitty (CA) High, but he actually looked like he belonged.
Going up against one of 2020's best relievers, A.J. Minter (who allowed just eight hits in 53 at-bats last season), Yorke sat back on a breaking ball and rifled a single into right-center field.
“I don’t know, man, I was thinking of where I was when I was 18, probably in Miami, going to Coconut Grove or something like that, hanging out," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. " It was good, it was cool, that was tremendous. He’s here to learn. He’s here to be around big leaguers and learn how to act in the clubhouse, how to be a professional. You can see. He controls the strike zone, controls his at-bats and started routine double play that we didn’t turn but that was the highlight of the day, having that kid play. It’s funny because I told him before the game, 'Hey, you’re playing second base. He’s like, 'OK, cool.' I asked him, 'Are you nervous?' He was like, 'Nope.' I’m like, 'OK, good for you.' Probably I was more nervous for him. That’s a good sign.”
Yorke, the 17th overall pick in last year's MLB Draft, didn't stop with the single. He went on to turn in a quality at-bat in the ninth inning, drawing a walk.
“It’s fun," said Yorke, who spent his offseason with at least one workout with former Red Sox Kevin Youkilis. He also dropped 25 pounds in between Instructional League and spring training. "It is. Baseball’s fun in my opinion. Every time you touch the field or get the opportunity to go out and play, it’s fun. So, it’s what I love to do, and being able to do it as a career at 18, I mean, I’m not going to complain.”