Derek Yormack, a junior at Kennedy High School, was named the 2025-26 Gatorade New York Baseball Player of the Year. 

Presented annually to the nation's top high school athletes, the Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community involvement. Yormack becomes New York's top baseball player after leading Kennedy to a 19-4 record and a berth in the county championship series. 

“Derek has been a difference-maker for our program in every sense,” said Coach Mike Gattus. “His ability, preparation and competitive drive are exceptional, and he consistently rises to the occasion in the biggest moments.” 

Yormack proved that once again on May 31, when he pitched a complete game and struck out 14 batters to lead Kennedy to a victory over Garden City High School and secure the Class AA Nassau County Championship - the first county baseball title in school history. 

At the time of his selection, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed pitcher and first baseman owned a 6-0 record with a 0.42 ERA, striking out 65 batters in 33.2 innings while allowing just 14 hits and six walks. At the plate, he batted .439 with eight home runs, 24 RBIs and a .955 slugging percentage. 

A 2025 Class AA First Team All-State selection, Yormack also maintains a weighted A average and has verbally committed to play baseball at Vanderbilt University beginning in 2027. 

About the Gatorade Player of the Year Program: The Gatorade Player of the Year program honors the nation's top high school athletes for excellence in athletics, academics, and community involvement. Each year, one winner is selected from every state and Washington, D.C., across 12 sports, totaling 610 state honorees. National winners in each sport are then chosen from this group by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which evaluates candidates with input from coaches, scouts, media members, and other experts.