Sat down with Ryan & Derek Yormack at Bellmore JFK’s winter workout. The twin brothers both committed to Duke University as 8th graders @BellmoreJFK @CoachGattusJFK pic.twitter.com/Jq92EC7kRv
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 28, 2024
One wears New Balance, the other wears Adidas.
That’s the only way Bellmore JFK coach Mike Gattus could distinguish between twin brothers Derek and Ryan Yormack when he first met them. You can’t begrudge him, either, as the identical twins look the same in every regard.
While they may look and act the same, their play on the field is different from nearly every other kid their age.
Most 8th graders aren’t like Derek and Ryan Yormack. As 8th graders, the twins shocked the Long Island baseball community by both committing to Duke University. They followed that up by outplaying most players three and four years older than them. Derek was named All-County. He batted .420 with a .547 OBP, scored 22 runs, notched 22 hits, drove in 25 runs, hit 2 home runs, one triple and five doubles. On the mound, he won 2 games, struck out 32 batters and compiled a 2.15 ERA with 1.08 WHIP. Ryan was named All-Conference, he batted .402 with a .542 OBP, 25 hits, 29 runs scored, 28 RBIS, 4 HRs and on the mound he compiled 2 saves, 18 strikeouts and won a game.
.@DukeBASE commit ‘27 Ryan Yormack (NY) absolutely unloads on a three run 💣 to LF. Extremely physical two-way prospect w/ tons of 🧃to all fields.#MAWS@PG_Scouting pic.twitter.com/BkeS5qQj2f
— PG Mid Atlantic (NY, NJ, PA, MD,DE,DC) (@PGMidAtlantic) July 24, 2023
They became the first Bellmore JFK athletes in over 30 years to earn postseason awards as 8th graders.
Derek followed that up by being named Perfect Game’s Pitcher of the Year for his accomplishments this summer.
Cʟᴀss ᴏғ 2027 Tᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ Aʟʟ-Aᴍᴇʀɪᴄᴀɴ Tᴇᴀᴍs 🏅
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝗦: https://t.co/P0xQoHev6I // @PG_Tourney pic.twitter.com/gbucwME5z0
— Perfect Game USA (@PerfectGameUSA) December 21, 2023
If there was any doubt that they belonged at the varsity level, that was dispelled in an early season game against South Side in which they each homered. The next game, they split the game on the mound, leading Bellmore JFK to the series win.
“I think that’s when the players looked around and said these kids belong,” said Head Coach Mike Gattus. “They earned the respect from everyone the way they play and carried themselves. We had good seniors leadership that took them under their wing. Now they are stepping into leadership roles.
Keep an eye on them to continue to put up massive numbers and help lead Bellmore JFK back to the postseason, even if they are just 15 years old and entering their freshman season.
