Cole Young, the promising young talent for the Seattle Mariners, had his moments in the 2025 season, though he didn't quite secure the role of primary second baseman by the end. Fast forward to 2026, and there's a buzz around Young potentially changing that narrative.
At just 22, Young is poised as Seattle's leading candidate to kick off the season at second base. His offseason efforts have not gone unnoticed, with Mariners GM Justin Hollander expressing pride in Young's transformation.
"He really changed his body this offseason," Hollander shared on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. The hard work is evident during spring training, as Young displays improved mobility and throwing capabilities. Hollander is optimistic about Young maintaining consistent bat speed and approach, tackling pitches that troubled him late last season.
Despite a slow start in the majors, Young found his groove over a 50-game stretch from June to mid-August. He posted a solid .281/.369/.399 slash line, with three homers, seven doubles, a triple, and an admirable 20 walks against 28 strikeouts. Notably, Young launched a 456-foot homer, the longest by a Mariner last season, outdistancing even Cal Raleigh's power hits.
However, Young hit a rough patch towards the season's end, going 3 for 51 in his final 21 games, which led to his exclusion from the postseason roster.
With Seattle's recent acquisition of All-Star utility player Brendan Donovan, primarily slated for third base, and top prospect Colt Emerson covering shortstop and third, Young faces competition at second. He’s up against Ryan Bliss, Leo Rivas, and Miles Mastrobuoni this spring.
Hollander is confident in Young's readiness to seize the opportunity. "He’s showing us he’s ready for the big leagues and ready to take the job and run with it," Hollander remarked. Young's offseason dedication has certainly set the stage for an exciting season ahead.
In other Mariners news, Jose Ferrer aims to bring flair and effectiveness to the bullpen, while Colt Emerson continues to impress at camp. Meanwhile, top pitching prospects have caught Cal Raleigh's attention, and Matt Brash is feeling his best since his 2024 surgery. Brendan Donovan is also expected to make a significant impact in the Mariners' leadoff spot.