As spring training kicked off, all eyes were on Seattle Mariners' second baseman Cole Young. The buzz was that the starting position was his to lose. However, early struggles in Peoria had fans concerned that Young might just let it slip away.
Coming off a challenging rookie season with a .211 average and a .607 OPS, Young's early Cactus League performance wasn't much better. He managed just 2-for-15 at the plate with seven strikeouts, though he did draw four walks, offering a glimmer of hope.
Reports suggested Young was on shaky ground, particularly struggling against four-seam fastballs, going 0-for-7. But just when it seemed he might be on the ropes, Young turned it around with two home runs against the Texas Rangers. Since then, he's been on a tear, now hitting .268 with a .982 OPS through 14 games.
His resurgence hasn't gone unnoticed. The Athletic highlighted Young as a player to watch, noting his physical transformation. Mariners' president of baseball operations, Jerry Dipoto, praised Young's offseason dedication, a commitment sparked by Julio Rodríguez's challenge to return stronger after last season's ALCS loss.
General manager Justin Hollander also chimed in, applauding Young's newfound rhythm and ability to make hard contact across the field. The stats back it up, with significant improvements in exit velocity and hard-hit metrics:
- Exit Velocity (MPH): 95.9 (2026) vs. 87.4 (2025)
- HardHit%: 56.7 (2026) vs. 31.4 (2025)
- Barrels/BBE%: 10.0 (2026) vs. 5.9 (2025)
Young's potential has always been tantalizing. Last season, he hit .277 with an .853 OPS in Triple-A Tacoma and had a strong 50-game stretch with the Mariners.
Defensively, Young has also made strides. Despite fewer concerns in this area, he's worked hard to improve, particularly on plays to his right. Recent games have showcased his enhanced footwork and body control.
While Young still has room to grow, his progress provides a beacon of hope for Mariners fans. With the addition of Brendan Donovan and the rise of prospect Colt Emerson, Seattle's infield is shaping up to be a formidable unit, fueling the team's World Series ambitions.