Nick Solak
Solak with the Round Rock Express in 2022
Free agent
Second baseman / Outfielder
Born: (1995-01-11) January 11, 1995
Woodridge, Illinois, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 20, 2019, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.252
Home runs21
Runs batted in93
Teams

Nicholas Blake Solak (born January 11, 1995) is an American professional baseball second baseman and outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers. Solak attended Naperville North High School in Naperville, Illinois, and the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky.

The New York Yankees drafted Solak in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft. After playing in several minor-league teams in the Yankees farm system, Solak was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 in a three-team trade, during which he played for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits and, in 2019, the Triple-A Durham Bulls. On July 13, 2019, the Texas Rangers acquired Solak, and he was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.

Solak made his major-league debut for the Rangers on August 20, 2019, and was voted the team's Rookie of the Year that season. Solak remained with the team until July 23, 2021, when he was sent down to the Triple-A Round Rock Express. He returned to the Rangers on August 20, 2021, and stayed with the team until May 19, 2022, when he was once again optioned to Round Rock.

Early and personal life

Solak was born on January 11, 1995, in Woodridge, Illinois.[1] He has a sister named Alexis. His father Mark worked for Motorola for 30 years,[2] while his mother Roseann (née Pawlak) has a background in community health and substance abuse prevention. He was named after Nick's Sports Page, a sports bar in Dolton, Illinois, where his parents had first met during an event featuring Carlton Fisk.[3] Nick played the saxophone in elementary and junior high school band, and he resumed playing it after his father had the old saxophone refurbished.[1]

Growing up outside of Chicago, Solak was a childhood fan of the Chicago White Sox, and his favorite childhood baseball players were Scott Podsednik, Paul Konerko, and Mark Buehrle.[4] Solak played three seasons with the baseball team at Naperville North High School in Naperville, Illinois, where he played as a middle infielder.[5][6] He batted .442 with 27 runs batted in (RBI) as a junior in 2012. As a senior in 2013, he had a .340 batting average.[7] However, only the Pittsburgh Pirates sent him a questionnaire before the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.[3]

Solak married his girlfriend, Roxanne McVey, on November 20, 2021.[1] Solak and McVey met during their attendance at the University of Louisville, where McVey played volleyball, with Solak proposing to her in 2019 at the bar where they first met.[1][2]

College career

Solak made his college baseball debut on February 16, 2014, pinch hitting for the Louisville Cardinals in their 6–1 win against the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens.[8][9] The following week, Solak experienced a number of collegiate firsts. On February 19, during the Cardinals' season home opener against Eastern Kentucky, he recorded his first RBI on a groundout.[10] Two days later, he recorded his first hit in the Cardinals' 21–8 rout of the Western Michigan Broncos,[11] and he made his first start the day after that as a designated hitter when the Cardinals shut out the Broncos 8–0.[8][12] In the summer of 2014, he played for the Vermont Mountaineers of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.[13]

As a sophomore in 2015, Solak attained a .324 batting average, and hit three runs, forty RBIs, fifteen doubles, and stole eighteen bases.[8] Along with Pete Alonso,[1] he played for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League, with Solak name a league all-star.[14][15]

In 2016, he played as a second baseman,[16] and despite suffering from an injury,[17] he was named a Second Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America, and earned second-team All-America recognition from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.[18] He had a slash line of a .376 batting average, .470 on-base percentage, and a .564 slugging percentage.[19] He also hit four home runs, and 26 RBIs in his 42 games played in 2016.[16] Solak finished his collegiate career with a slash line of .346/.442/.484 with 10 home runs, 94 RBI, 36 stolen bases, and a .926 on-base plus slugging (OPS).[20]

Professional career

New York Yankees

Solak with the Staten Island Yankees in 2016

The New York Yankees selected Solak in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft as the 62nd overall pick,[21] and signed him for a $950,000 signing bonus.[22] Before the draft, Baseball America had ranked him as 86th-best prospect for it.[23] He made his professional debut with the Short-Season Class A Staten Island Yankees and hit two three-run home runs during his first at-bat there.[24] He finished the 2016 season with a .321 batting average and 3 home runs, with his 77 hits a tie for the second-most hits in the New York–Penn League (NYPL), and 48 runs a tie for the third-most runs. He also hit .411 during a 14-game hitting streak stretching from July 28 to August 13. He was named to the NYPL's mid-season all-star team, and Baseball America's Short-Season All-Star team. Following the season Baseball America also ranked Solak the number 19 prospect in the Yankees organization.[1]

In 2017, Solak finished with a .301 batting average for the high-A Tampa Yankees,[20] hitting 10 home runs with 44 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. After playing 100 games with Tampa, Solak was promoted to the then-Double-A Trenton Thunder on August 1, where he finished the season batting .286/.344/.429. He led the Florida State League (FSL) with a .397 OBP, and ranked second with a .301 average and a .460 slugging percentage. MLB.com named him to the League's postseason all-star team and the Yankees Organizational All-Star Team, and ranked him as the number five second-base prospect following the season. Moreover, Baseball America ranked Solak as the number 14 prospect in the FSL, and in their Best Tools survey, Solak was tabbed as the Best Hitter for Average in the Yankees organization.[1]

Tampa Bay Rays

On February 18, 2018, the Yankees sent Solak to the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade, in which the Yankees acquired Brandon Drury from the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Diamondbacks acquired Steven Souza from the Rays and Taylor Widener from the Yankees, and the Rays acquired Anthony Banda, Colin Poche, and Sam McWilliams from the Diamondbacks.[25] He spent the 2018 season with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. After batting .282 with 19 home runs, 76 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases in 126 games,[1] Solak was named Montgomery's MVP.[26] Solak also participated in the Southern League All-Star Game in June.[27]

Solak began 2019 with the Triple-A Durham Bulls of the International League,[28] with Joe McCarthy stating that "[t]he guy is a hitter" in reference to Solak.[29] He finished his Bulls season with a .266/.350/.485/.835 slash line, 17 home runs, and 47 RBI in 301 at-bats.[30]

Texas Rangers

On July 13, 2019, Solak was traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Pete Fairbanks.[31] He was assigned to the Nashville Sounds of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League.[30] On August 20, the Rangers selected Solak's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[32] He made his major league debut that day in a double-header versus the Los Angeles Angels, recording his first career hit off Andrew Heaney and first career home run off Jaime Barría.[2][33] Solak finished the 2019 season hitting .293/.393/.491 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI over 33 games for Texas.[34] He had the fastest sprint speed of all major league designated hitters, at 28.7 feet/second,[35] and was also voted the team's Rookie of the Year.[19]

Entering the 2020 season, Baseball America ranked Solak as the Rangers' fourth-best prospect.[19] Solak was the Rangers' Opening Day left fielder. In addition to left field, Solak also played at second base, center field, and as a designated hitter.[1] His first home run of the season on August 9 was annulled after a referee changed it to an error committed by Jo Adell.[36] Solak played 58 games (a tie for the club lead with Isiah Kiner-Falefa), finishing .268/.326/.344 and hitting two home runs.[1]

Solak was part of the Rangers' Opening Day roster for 2021 as a second baseman.[37] On July 23, 2021, Solak was optioned to the Triple-A Round Rock Express. Up until that point, he had a team-high 88 second-base starts, as well as a .225 batting average and 34 RBIs in 92 games.[38] He was recalled to the Rangers on August 20.[39] Upon his return, Solak stated he learnt "not to put too much pressure on [himself] whether things are going really good or things are going really bad" while Chris Woodward, the Rangers manager, stated that "it's been nice to see him kind of make that adjustment".[40] Solak finished the season hitting .242/.314/.362/.677 with 11 home runs and 49 RBI.[41] From April 14 to July 9, Solak had a 71-game no-error streak, the longest single-game streak among Ranger second basemen.[38]

Solak was part of the Rangers' 2022 Opening Day roster as an outfielder.[42] On May 19, 2022,[1] Solak was again optioned to Round Rock Express.[43] He hit .209/.293/.313 and two home runs in his 75 plate appearances before his demotion.[44]

Cincinnati Reds

On November 10, 2022, Solak was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash considerations.[45] Solak was optioned to the Triple–A Louisville Bats to begin the 2023 season.[46] On March 30, 2023, the Reds designated him for assignment.[47]

Seattle Mariners

On March 31, 2023, the Cincinnati Reds traded him to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations and was optioned to the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers. He went 1-for-13 in 4 games with Tacoma before being designated for assignment on April 10.[48]

Atlanta Braves

On April 14, 2023, the Chicago White Sox claimed Solak off of waivers and optioned him to the Triple–A Charlotte Knights.[49] He was designated for assignment on April 16.[50]

On April 18, 2023, Solak was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves and optioned to the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers.[51] He was recalled to the major league roster on April 25 after Eli White was placed on the paternity list.[52] He appeared in one game against the Miami Marlins as a pinch runner for Sean Murphy before he was optioned to Gwinnett April 28.[53] Solak was designated for assignment on June 6 following the acquisition of Ben Heller.[54]

Detroit Tigers

On June 9, 2023, Solak was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers and optioned to the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens.[55] The Tigers called up Solak the next day where he made his debut as a pinch runner.[56] August 4, Solak was designated for assignment by the Tigers following the acquisition of Andrew Vasquez.[57] On August 6, Solak cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A.[58] For the 2023 season, Solak had the distinction of having only two pinch runner appearances for two different teams without having an official at-bat.[59] He elected free agency on November 6.[60]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Nick Solak Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Sullivan, T. R. (December 23, 2019). "Rangers rookie truly 'rings' in the holidays". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Grant, Evan (February 29, 2020). "Rangers' Nick Solak is a South Side 'throwback', right down to the bar he was named after". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  4. ↑ McCann, Savannah (April 24, 2021). "Solak calls hometown HR 'cool' moment". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  5. ↑ Baumgartner, Blake (July 7, 2020). "Naperville's Nick Solak and Nicky Lopez look to build upon momentum in sophomore MLB seasons: 'I'm pretty comfortable with everything.'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  6. ↑ Campbell, Alex (June 17, 2022). "Nick Solak Making Most out of Paused Baseball Season". NCTV17.org.
  7. ↑ Baumgartner, Blake (August 27, 2019). "'It was an absolutely amazing day': Naperville North's Nick Solak stars in debut with Texas Rangers". Naperville Sun. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "Nick Solak – Baseball". University of Louisville Athletics. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Ruxer, Early Offense Lead No. 8 Louisville Past Delaware, 6–1". University of Louisville Athletics. February 16, 2014. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  10. ↑ Borden, Brett (February 20, 2014). "Cardinals sing as Burdis both sling in home opener". The Courier-Journal. p. C5. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "No. 7 Cardinals Slug Past Western Michigan, 21–8". University of Louisville Athletics. February 21, 2014. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Funkhouser Strikes Out 10 as No. 7 Louisville Shuts Out WMU". University of Louisville Athletics. February 22, 2014. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  13. ↑ "2014 Vermont Mountaineers". baseball-reference.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  14. ↑ "#2 Nick Solak". pointstreak.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Cape League All-Star, Home Run selections released". capecodbaseball.org. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  16. 1 2 Wall, Garett. "Solak Earns CoSIDA Academic All-America Honor". University of Louisville Athletics. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  17. ↑ Greer, Jeff. "Nick Solak relieved to return from hand injury". The Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  18. ↑ Jones, Steve. "Louisville baseball has school-record six NCBWA All-Americans - Zack Burdi, Corey Ray, Brendan McKay, Drew Harrington, Kade McClure, Nick Solak". Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  19. 1 2 3 Halicke, Chris (February 9, 2020). "Inside The Rangers' Prospect Watch: No. 4 Nick Solak". FanNation. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  20. 1 2 "Nick Solak College, Amateur, Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  21. ↑ Greer, Jeff (June 9, 2016). "Louisville's Solak picked 62nd in MLB Draft". The Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  22. ↑ "2016 Draft: Signing and Bonus Tracker". MLB.com. June 15, 2016. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  23. ↑ Welge, Joshua (June 14, 2016). "Naperville North grad Nick Solak wastes no time signing with New York Yankees". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  24. ↑ Avallone, Michael. "New York Yankees' Nick Solak homers twice, drives in six runs". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  25. ↑ Gilbert, Steve (May 24, 2018). "D-backs, Yankees, Rays make three-team trade". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  26. ↑ Tampa Bay Rays (September 28, 2018). "Rays announce 2018 Minor League award winners". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  27. ↑ Kennedy, Jahmal; Martin, Maria (June 6, 2018). "4 Biscuits players named to 2018 Southern League All-Star roster". WSFA. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  28. ↑ Bumbaca, Chris. "Rays' Solak blasts off twice for Bulls". milb.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  29. ↑ Sutton, Bob. "Solak's homers help Bulls hammer Mud Hens". The Times-News. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  30. 1 2 Sullivan, T. R. (July 13, 2019). "Rangers acquire Minor League 2B for Fairbanks". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  31. ↑ Grant, Evan (October 22, 2020). "Remember the Pete Fairbanks-Nick Solak trade? It's working out well for the Rangers, Rays". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  32. ↑ Wilson, Jeff (August 20, 2019). "Rangers' late win comes at a cost as Mazara hits IL. Who is taking his roster spot?". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  33. ↑ Weaver, Levi (August 21, 2019). "The future is not here yet, but the Rangers can, maybe, see it from here". The Athletic. Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  34. ↑ Halicke, Chris (February 2020). "WATCH: Nick Solak Looking to Build Off 2019 Debut with Rangers". FanNation. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard | baseballsavant.com". Baseballsavant.mlb.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  36. ↑ Dixon, Schuyler. "4-base error on ball over fence helps Rangers top Angels 7-3". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  37. ↑ Landry, Kennedi. "Ranger 2022 Opening Day Roster". MLB.com. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  38. 1 2 Hamm, Timm. "Rangers Roster Notes: Terry's MLB Call-Up, Trevino Activated, Solak Demoted". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  39. ↑ Landry, Kennedi (September 1, 2021). "Nick Solak impressing manager batting coach". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  40. ↑ McCann, Savannah. "Nick Solak playing well for rangers, enjoying game again". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  41. ↑ Weaver, Levi (October 6, 2021). "Grading the 2021 Texas Rangers: Position players edition". The Athletic. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  42. ↑ Halicke, Chris (April 7, 2022). "Texas Rangers Make Final Roster Moves Ahead of Opening Day". FanNation. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  43. ↑ Landry, Kennedi. "Mitch Garver hits home run in loss to Astros". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  44. ↑ RotoWire Staff (May 19, 2022). "Rangers' Nick Solak: Sent to Triple-A". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Reds Acquire Nick Solak from Rangers". Mlbtraderrumors.com. November 10, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Reds' Nick Solak: Reassigned to minor-league camp". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Reds' Nick Solak: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Mariners' Nick Solak: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  49. ↑ "White Sox's Nick Solak: Claimed by ChiSox". cbssports.com. April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  50. ↑ "White Sox's Nick Solak: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  51. ↑ "Braves' Nick Solak: Claimed off waivers by ATL". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Braves' Nick Solak: Recalled from Triple-A". cbssports.com. April 25, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Braves' Nick Solak: Optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. April 28, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  54. ↑ "Tuesday's Transactions". The Daily Sentinel. Associated Press. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  55. ↑ Woodbery, Evan (June 9, 2023). "Tigers claim infielder off waivers from Braves". MLive.com. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Detroit Tigers place Akil Baddoo on injured list, recall newly acquired Nick Solak". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Tigers DFA Nick Solak". CBS Sports.
  58. ↑ "Tigers send Nick Solak to Triple-A". CBS Sports.
  59. ↑ DJourn (November 11, 2023). "2023 Braves Season in Review: Nick Solak". Battery Power. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  60. ↑ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-11-06
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