Mariners’ fans got their first look in spring training with their top prospect Cole Young. The 20-year-old shortstop played in 13 spring training games and had some success. The 21st overall pick from the 2022 draft, hit .273/.261/.455 with one homerun and five runs batted in. It was a good experience for Young, who got a first taste of Big-League Spring, being around some proven Major League Players. Obviously, Young won’t make the team, but it was fun to get our first look.
After the Mariners drafted Young, he got into 17 games for the Mariners System. In 17 games between Rookie ball and Single-A, he hit well, going 22 for 60 with two home runs. It was good for a .367/.423/.517 slash line.
He followed it up with his first full season in the organization and did not disappoint. Between the Modesto Nuts and the Everett AquaSox, he hit .277/.399/.449, good for a .848 OPS as a 19-year-old.
Young made 3 pre-season Top 100 prospects list this season, being the 44th overall prospect according to Baseball America, 37th according to MLB Pipeline and 61st according to Baseball Prospectus.
According to Baseball America, the Smooth hitting lefty has the best tools in the Mariners system to hit for average. But not just hitting for average is a big plus. He has shown his ability to draw walks. As a young hitter, that’s a very promising sign. In High-A, Young walked 34 times, while striking out just 38 times in 48 games. As a hitter who was 3.5 years younger than the average player in the league, it’s a mature approach.
According to MLB Pipeline scouts raved about that mature approach, as they praised his strike-zone awareness, plate discipline and his ability to get his bat on the ball. Young isn’t a major power bat yet, hitting just 11 homeruns in 123 innings, he did show he is a doubles machine. Over those 123 games, Young hit 34 doubles. Still, having a mature approach with his hitting skills, Young is expected to rise through the system with a 2025 ETA.
On the defensive side, Young is a shortstop. But with J.P. Crawford being a long-term solution at that spot, Young has played some second base as well. With Jorge Polanco being in his final year, Young has a clear path to the second base job. Most innings Young did play at second base, showing the organization plan to play him there in the future. His bat profiles well for a second baseman and shortstop.
Young will most likely start the season in AA. A good test as the pitching level will get better for Young. Let’s see if he can keep up his bat-to-ball skills and pitch recognition at a high level.
Either way, the major league spring camp would have been a great experience for Young. Current shortstop J.P. Crawford took Young under his wing, showing the shortstop his leadership. Crawford felt it important for Young to fit in, in his first major league clubhouse. Even on the road, when major league players take their own care, Crawford said ‘You’re with me’. Probably a lot of lessons learned for the Mariners top prospect in those rides.
