Although he didn’t win a National League Gold Glove Award as a center fielder, Jacob Young shined as an outfielder last season, as the club noted in the Washington Nationals’ season-in review. He is a 25-year-old seventh-round pick in 2021. , “… [leading] “According to Baseball Savant, he had 21 outs and prevented 19 runs, which is above average for all of MLB,” the center said.
Young’s above-average outs and allowed runs were “…the most in a single season by an MLB OFF since 2019.”
On the basepaths, Young led the team in stolen bases (33), which is “tied for the most among major league rookies and second only to Trea Turner (33 stolen bases in 2016) by a Nationals rookie.” It was a Thai record.”
Young also started the season with consecutive stolen bases without being caught, starting his MLB career dating back to his major league debut on August 29, 2023, and stole 25 consecutive bases until he was finally caught trying to steal on May 1st. was recorded.
The 25-game streak is “…tied for the fourth-longest career start in MLB history.”
Young used his speed to his advantage this season as well, “leading MLB with 11 bunt hits,” as D.C. general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo noted in praising the outfielder late this summer. .
The organization is loaded with outfield talent, but Rizzo said Young has fulfilled his role in the majors.
“He proved to me that he’s a major league player and that there’s a place for him on this team,” Rizzo told Audacity’s The Sports Junkies in August.
“I think his offensive ability has improved over the course of this season. And he’s got to see more pitches, take more walks, take more bunt hits — he’s got to take more bunt hits. He’s leading the league – I think – and he’s leading the league in infield hits. He’s an elite runner, he’s an elite defender, he’s an elite runner, he’s an elite base stealer.
“I mean, there are a lot of skills that winning ballclubs employ. He’s become a real asset for us and a player that’s going to be a part of our future.”
Young finished the season with a batting average of .256/.316/.331, 24 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 33 stolen bases (in 43 attempts), 30 walks, and 102 strikeouts in 150 games and 521 at-bats. He was worth 2.6 fWAR.
Of course, what stood out as GM of the Nationals was his defensive prowess and durability.
“[Young is]” Lizzo told Junkies. He played rough, played hard in the outfield, crashed into walls, wasn’t afraid of fences, walls or anything. We’re really proud of him coming out as a seventh-round pick and I think he’s going to really blossom and become a great piece for us going forward. ”
“Young, I mean, what he did this year was really, really, really good,” coach Davey Martinez said in September.
“I mean, every day, every time I see him, I say, this guy is a Gold Glover, and his hitting is going to get even better.”
Young knows he needs to make progress at the plate, as he told reporters. Quoted by Mark Zuckerman of MASN:
“Defense definitely helps, but everyone has to hit,” Young admitted. “There are a lot of great defenders who didn’t stay in the league because they couldn’t hit. That’s what you have to do. Of course, I want to be seen as more than just a defender. I want to be seen as a player who plays every day and can also be an offensive force. Obviously, base running has a lot to do with that, but being able to get results with the bat itself is a big thing.”
