The Boston Red Sox decided to improve their infield depth in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft.
The Sox entered Wednesday night's Round 1 with the No. 17 pick, and they selected high school infielder Nick Yorke out of Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif.
Get the latest news and analysis on all of your teams from NBC Sports Boston by downloading the My Teams App
Yorke is listed at 6 feet and 200 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed. The 18-year-old prospect's most likely position is second base. He has committed to playing college baseball for the University of Arizona.
Here's a portion of MLB.com's scouting report on Yorke:
Scouts believe Yorke has a real chance to swing the bat, with perhaps even plus hit potential from the right side of the plate. He’s a natural hitter with a pure swing and an advanced approach at the plate and there’s enough power potential in there to believe he could eventually be a run-producing type of player.
Boston Red Sox
Find the latest Boston Red Sox news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
Many experts predicted the Red Sox would draft a pitcher or an outfielder in the first round, but clearly Yorke's talent and potential impressed Boston enough for him to be selected higher than expected.
The 2020 MLB Draft resumes Thursday night with rounds two through five. The Red Sox do not have a second-round pick, as they were stripped of that selection as a result of Major League Baseball's investigation into their sign-stealing during the 2018 season.