A MONARCH GOES PRO Red Sox Sign Nick Yorke ’20 in First Round of MLB Draft By Katie Helland - Director of Communications
Monarch Nick Yorke was the No. 17 pick in the MLB draft in July, becoming the first baseball player in school history to be drafted out of high school in the first round. He joins a handful of other Monarchs in playing baseball professionally. “It was shocking, in a good way,” Yorke said. “It was extremely exciting and I was very grateful to receive that call. I love playing baseball because to me it is the greatest game in the world.” For Coach Brian Yocke ’03, the head of the AMHS baseball team, Yorke’s first round pick was no surprise. Coach Yocke has known Yorke and his baseball playing brothers, Joe ’19 and Zach ’22, for years. As just a sophomore in high school, Yorke was named the West Catholic Athletic League’s Most Valuable Player after he batted .494 in 28 games. The following year, Yorke went on to hit .505 with 40 RBIs, nine doubles, three triples, and seven home runs. Unfortunately, Yorke’s senior year was interrupted by COVID-19, which meant he only played five games before the season was canceled. The evening of the draft, Coach Yocke watched as the teams announced picks. He didn’t have to wait long. Yorke was the Red Sox’s first pick. “I immediately started running through the house screaming, ‘Let’s Go!’ ” Coach Yocke said. “I knew he was good enough to be a first rounder, I just wasn’t sure if the scouts had enough time to follow him his senior year, due to the shortened season ... He deserved it though!” But Coach Yocke also remembers Yorke as a much smaller fifth grader, playing for Moreland Little League. By junior high, Yorke would arrive early to camp with a bucket of baseballs and hit ground balls. Coach Yocke knew the young baseball player was special when he hit a backhand that forced Yorke into foul territory, where there was turf. Yorke dove to make the play. When he got up, his knees were bleeding, but he got right back to work.
“That ability, that effort, that toughness is all rare for a high school aged player… and he wasn’t even in high school!” said Coach Yocke. “He’s a driven young man that loves the game of baseball and has a rare work ethic to go along with his incredible ability level.” With one year of experience on his new team behind him, Yorke is now preparing for next year’s games, when hopefully the pandemic will be over, and crowds will fill the stands. The things he learned on campus join him on the field. “One thing that Coach Yocke and Mitty baseball has taught me is to always be myself,” he said. “No matter what situation I’m in, I’ll always know I’ll be alright because of the relationships I’ve built and experiences I’ve had at Mitty.”
NICK YORKE ’20 JOINS OTHER MONARCHS IN BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER. THESE MONARCHS HAVE ALSO GONE ON TO PLAY PROFESSIONALLY: Kris Bubic ’15 Drew Mount ’14 Tyler Davis ’11 Alex Balog ’10 James Roberts ’10 Scott Masik ’09 Trevor Hildenberger ’09 Mitch Haniger ’09 Nik Balog ’08 Jason Codiroli ’05 Robert Perry ’03
Aaron Bates ’02 Joey Wolfe ’99 Zeph Zinsman ’97 Tim Adinolfi ’96 Brandon Macchi ’96 Tom Myers ’87 Mike Gabbani ’86 Kevin Christman ’84 Chris Codiroli ’76 Mike Codiroli ’75 Mike Vail ’71
Are you a professional baseball player who wasn’t included on this list? Help us update our records. Send an email to alumni@mitty.com 16
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