Report: Yankees ink second-round selection Nick Solak

It has been reported that the New York Yankees have signed second baseman Nick Solak from University of Louisville for $950,000, but the signing has not yet been made official by the team.  Solak was selected by the Yankees with their second round pick (No. 62 overall).

Solak was ranked as the 147th best prospect by MLB.com and is also ranked 86th by Baseball America and 121st by Baseball Prospectus.

The Yankees have signed 2B Nick Solak, their second round Draft pick out of Louisville, for $950,000.

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) June 21, 2016

While in high school in Naperville, IL, Solak was named a three-time All-Conference selection and a two-time All-Area honoree, selected as an Illinois Coaches Association All-Star as a senior, and received the Naperville North Booster Club Award.  He set the school record for triples with 18.

In 2014, his freshman year with Louisville, Solak made his collegiate debut as a pinch hitter in a win over Deleware.  He hit .351 with two home-runs, 25 RBI, scored 29 runs and stole nine bases in 47 games played (26 starts).  Solak was named to the 2014 American Championship All-Tournament Team as well after going 9-for-13 with six RBI and five runs scored in four starts at the American Conference Championship.

As a sophomore in 2015, he hit .324 with three home-runs, 40 RBI, 15 doubles and 18 stolen bases while starting all 65 games for Louisville.  He achieved three honors for his efforts in 2015: the 2015 All-ACC Academic Team, the 2015 NCAA Louisville Regional All-Tournament Team, and the 2015 ACC Championship All-Tournament Team honor.  He was also named a Cape Cod League All-Star starter in the summer playing with the Bourne Braves.

Solak is known for his offense, not his defense, and has drawn comparisons to current Yankee Rob Refsnyder.  As seen with his career statistics, hitting is his primary tool.  Solak is more of a line-drive/contact focused hitter who hits well and for average but lacks the power and strength clubs will look for on the professional level.  He does scores and drive in runs and has good speed along the base paths.

Defensively, he is limited in range, arm strength, and fielding ability, making the right side of the infield the best option for him.

It will be interesting to see what the Yankees choose to do with Solak moving forward, whether it’s keeping him on the infield, moving him to an outfield position, or just finding another spot for him to play.