Red Sox Surprised Just About Everyone With 2020 First-Round Pick

The 2020 MLB Draft was already shortened to five rounds, and the Boston Red Sox were also stripped of their second-round pick for being found guilty of stealing signs during their 2018 World Series championship season. That made their selection at No. 17 overall that much more important.

Well, Chaim Bloom and Co. shocked just about everyone by drafting second baseman Nick Yorke. The high schooler was not expected to go in the first or even the second round based on the prevailing prospect rankings.

With the 17th overall pick of the 2020 #MLBDraft, the #RedSox select Archbishop Mitty HS 2B Nick Yorke, No. 139 on the Top 200 Draft Prospects list: https://t.co/Fcf6FIVeRp

Watch live: https://t.co/cmm19LX2BQ pic.twitter.com/GYKEfDkrQB
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) June 11, 2020

Boston must have believed another team would have drafted Yorke before they selected again in the third round, as they clearly did not want to miss out on him. Now, they must be sure to get a deal done so he doesn't opt to go to college.

That would make this pick an absolute disaster.

We're going to be honest.

We didn't have a Nick Yorke graphic prepared tonight.

BUT.

He was on our list of 10 sleepers to watch, and some scouts believe he's the best pure hitter in California. #RedSox

Sleeper list: https://t.co/1sxfeeYAgy
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 11, 2020

The Red Sox see something in Yorke, but fans are surely going to be asking why the No. 139-ranked prospect on MLB.com went at No. 17 overall. The good news for Yorke? He can sign for a lot more money being a first-round pick. Of course, that means he'll be facing some sky-high expectations right away.