ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jared Young's journey through professional baseball has been anything but straightforward. After spending nine years in the sport, which included a stint in Korea and over 2,500 at-bats in the minor leagues, Young has finally found his footing in Major League Baseball. His unwavering belief in his potential has been a driving force throughout his career.
Young, now 31, has taken full advantage of the opportunities presented to him this season with the New York Mets. He has appeared in 91 games, boasting a batting average of .265, with eight home runs, 16 doubles, and 35 runs batted in (RBI). Notably, he is tied with rookie sensation Carson Benge for the highest on-base plus slugging (OPS) among active Mets players, only behind Juan Soto.
Reflecting on his journey, Young stated, "I always fully believed it. You just gotta keep believing in yourself and keep playing because there’s a ton of good players that have opportunities and rightfully so, so when you get yours, you just gotta be ready for it." His determination has not gone unnoticed by the Mets' coaching staff.
Mets interim manager Andy Green praised Young's performance, noting, "This is where talent and character finally ran into opportunity. Opportunity just never met him before, and it’s finally there for him. We’re getting to see who he is ... and he’s been everything we could hope for." This season marks a significant turning point for Young, who had previously played in only 44 MLB games, hitting just .200 in his limited appearances.
Many within the Mets organization had high expectations for Young, believing he could be a key contributor. Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert recalled an early spring training conversation with Young, where he expressed confidence in Young's abilities. Albert remarked, "You’ve got the tools to contribute. I know you might not be hearing your name a lot in the media or whatever now, but internally within the organization, we believe that you’re a contributor on a winning team." This belief has been validated as Young has emerged as a reliable player.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his role at the beginning of the season, with expectations for veterans like Jorge Polanco and prospects Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to share time at first base, Young's performance has solidified his place on the team. Injuries have also played a role, as Mike Tauchman's injury opened the door for Young to make the Opening Day roster.
Looking ahead, Young is likely to remain a key figure for the Mets as they consider their roster for the upcoming season. While the team may explore options to upgrade at first base through trades or free agency, Young's versatility and ability to play multiple positions make him a valuable asset. His strong performance against right-handed pitchers could position him as an essential part of the lineup moving forward.
As the season approaches its conclusion, Young is focused on making the most of his current opportunities while also acknowledging his potential for growth. He expressed, "I think it’s been a solid year for me, but I know there’s a ton more in there. There’s tons of stuff to work on. I can get better at defense, I can get better at hitting, I can slug more. There’s always stuff that you think you can do better." His confidence in his abilities is clear, and he is determined to continue improving.
Albert advised Young to maintain his current approach, emphasizing the importance of leveraging his strengths rather than overextending himself. "Basically, just keep going. He’s essentially turning himself into an everyday player this year. Sometimes it’s not doing anything different and I think he’s been pretty good about, OK, these are my strengths, this is what I do well and I’m going to stay locked in and execute on that," Albert noted.
Young's ability to hit for power and maintain a low strikeout rate, particularly in high-pressure situations, has made him a valuable player for the Mets. His performance with runners in scoring position has been impressive, hitting .333 in those situations this season. If he can continue to enhance his defensive skills and increase his on-base percentage, he will undoubtedly become an even more significant contributor to the Mets in the future.
As Young reflects on his breakout season, he remains committed to continuing his development and making a lasting impact in Major League Baseball. "I feel like I’ve played well and want to continue to play well and keep opening eyes," he concluded.
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