Zach Yorke’s Bat Will Power Grand Canyon’s Success In 2025
Image credit: Zach Yorke (Photo by Bill Mitchell)
By no means was Zach Yorke’s performance last season a sophomore slump, but the 21-year-old had a tough act to follow.
Yorke had one of the best freshman seasons in program history in 2023, hitting .368 with eight homers. He set a freshman record for hits (75) and tied Tim Salmon’s 35-year-old record for most RBIs by a GCU freshman (61).
There’s plenty of college players who wish they had Yorke’s success the following year in 2024. The lefthanded hitter slashed .285/.390/.478 with a career-high 11 home runs, helping the Lopes win their third consecutive Western Athletic Conference title and regional appearance in Tucson.
But Yorke knew there was something holding him back from achieving his true potential, especially heading into a crucial junior season.
“I don’t think I was mentally strong last year, and I think that’s why I struggled a little bit,” Yorke said after GCU’s 4-3 loss to Vanderbilt on Friday night in the MLB Desert Invitational. “I think working on it with my coaching staff and them helping me out, and knowing my teammates have my back.
“We’re in for a good year.”
If Friday night was a preview into what this redefined version of the preseason second team All-American is capable of, then there’s plenty to be excited about. Trailing by four runs in the sixth inning, Yorke brought the record-setting crowd of 5,295 at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark back to life by smashing a two-run homer to left field.
Yorke has now homered on opening night in back-to-back years. Friday’s blast kickstarted a three-run inning, but GCU’s comeback ultimately fell one run short. Yet there weren’t any heads down or sights of sorrow after the loss. The Lopes kept up with one of college baseball’s juggernauts, and Yorke’s bat was key, just like it has been since the moment he stepped on campus.
“There’s only a couple players in my career that can see the ball and understand and control the strike zone the way that Zach does,” GCU head coach Gregg Wallis said. “He swings at quality strikes and takes balls. His ability to control the strike zone is at a professional level.”
The numbers support Wallis’ claim.
Last spring he had an 89% overall in-zone contact rate, including 93% against fastballs, chased just 18% of the time. He uses the entire field. And when he makes contact, he causes damage. He had a 106 mph 90th percentile exit velocity and 111 mph maximum exit velocity.
“What you saw today is who he is,” Wallis said. “He’s going to hit the ball hard and control the strike zone. I think he’s a professional player.”
Yorke has professional ties. His brother, first-rounder Nick Yorke, made his Pirates MLB debut last September. The only question that looms is his defense. Yorke exclusively plays first base and his 6-foot-2 and 295-pound frame doesn’t allow for much versatility.
Wallis said he’s always been impressed with Yorke’s glove, and has seen him continuously put in extra work. Yorke’s prospect status would rise significantly if the work he’s put in reflects in the scouting. Admittedly, the doubt around his defense had added a chip on his shoulder.
“I’m really confident in my defense,” Yorke said. “A lot of people like to say that I will turn into a DH at the next level, and I just laugh when I see it. Obviously, I’m looked at as a hitter. I don’t mind it, I love to hit, but I can pick it a little bit too.”
