Shushkewich: Versatile Young to be prepared for whatever role Mets have for him

Okanagan Athletics grad Jared Young (Prince George, B.C.) has signed with the New York Mets. Photo: SNY

December 28, 2024

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

After splitting the 2024 season between the St. Louis Cardinals’ triple-A affiliate and the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization, INF/OF Jared Young has found a home for the 2025 season.

The New York Mets announced earlier this month that they had signed Young (Prince George, B.C.) to a one-year, major league deal.

“When I decided to come back from Asia after last season, I was going into this off-season weighing out what opportunities worked best for myself from the teams that were poking around,” said Young, speaking to the Canadian Baseball Network. “With how the Mets play and use everybody across the roster, I felt like it was a strong fit for both sides and where I ultimately wanted to play next season.”

Young also had a personal connection with the Mets’ staff that helped factor into the decision as well.

“Andy Green (Mets’ senior vice president of player development), he was my bench coach in Chicago when I was up in the big leagues,” said Young. “I really liked working with him during my time there and appreciated how he went about his business and found that the mentality he carried translated well to the Mets as a whole, which helped with my decision.”

A 15th-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs in 2017, Young has spent most of his career in the minor leagues – with the past few seasons being in triple-A.

In September of 2022, Young was called up to the big leagues when Rafael Ortega landed on the 60-day IL with a fractured finger. He would collect five hits through 19 at-bats, including two doubles (one of which was his first big league hit). Young rode the options bus during the 2023 campaign but found himself suiting up in 16 games for Chicago. He would post a .186/.255/.465 slash line with two home runs, eight RBIs, and a .720 OPS.

After being picked up by the Cardinals off waivers last winter, Young got off to a strong start in triple-A with his new organization.

He posted a .285/.411/.506 slash line with 11 home runs and a .917 OPS through 74 games, spending time across the diamond which included stints at third base, left field, right field, and in the DH spot. Despite the strong offensive numbers with the Memphis Redbirds, the Cardinals kept him stashed in the minor leagues. With impressive stats in triple-A and playing time limited for him in St. Louis, Young decided to take his talents over to Korea, signing a contract with the Doosan Bears for the remainder of the 2024 season.

“I felt like I was playing well in triple-A and the Cardinals didn’t see me finding time in the major leagues to finish out the season,” said Young. “We had some conversations about my playing time and I felt like I was playing as good of baseball as I could in Memphis, so when the chance to play overseas came up, I decided that I wanted to give this opportunity with Doosan a shot over finishing the year in the minors. Ultimately, I think this was a good stepping stone for my career and also a really great experience.”

Joining fellow Canuck Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.) on the Bears, Young picked up right where he left off. In his first game against the Kia Tigers, the utility player went 1-for-3 and followed that with a 5-for-6 performance with two home runs, eight RBIs, and two walks in the 30-6 victory. His eight RBIs tied the KBO record for the most RBIs in a single game by a foreign player.

“Hitting that first home run with the Bears was one of the loudest experiences I have ever been a part of,” said Young.

For the year, Young would appear in 38 games for the Bears and collect 16 doubles, 10 home runs, and 38 RBIs with four stolen bases en route to a .326/.420/.660 slash line with a 1.080 OPS. He also amassed 21 walks and one triple while also producing 13 multi-hit games – four of which with three or more hits. Young helped the Bears secure a spot in the post-season after finishing fourth in the league with a 74-68-2 record. Doosan faced the KT Wiz in the Wild Card round, losing out in the three-game series.

“The fans are incredibly passionate over there,” said Young. “It didn’t matter what the score was. They were always cheering you on and going nuts in the stands. Every player has a song – I don’t know how they get created – but every player has a song and the fans chant your name but they also keep singing the song throughout your entire at-bat. The music stops but they just keep going. It’s unbelievable.”

Returning to Korea for another season was a possibility for the B.C. product but the versatile Canuck decided to take his talents to the NL East instead, returning stateside to continue his baseball career.

“I wasn’t going to be turning away or closing doors on any playing opportunities, regardless of what league or team they were,” said Young, speaking of his free agency stint. “This was my first time as a free agent and I wasn’t going to make up my mind too quickly or right out of the gate. I waited and saw how things started to shake out and the different opportunities that were put forward. When everything started to happen and come together with the Mets, I ultimately thought that this opportunity was the best decision for myself and my family for next season.”

With Young entering next season looking to break camp with the Mets, who have been one of the most active teams this winter on the free-agent front, the 29-year-old is looking to take the momentum from last season into the new year.

“Going into a new opportunity, I don’t want to put too much pressure or set too many goals in my head because I think that pulls me away from my game,” said Young. “I know I can be adaptable and I am going into camp with the mentality that I can do anything this team asks of me to help win baseball games and adjust accordingly based on their needs. I will be prepared physically and mentally for whatever the Mets throw my way and be ready to play every single day.”

Young joins Calvin Ziegler (Kitchener, Ont.) and Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) as part of the Canadian contingent in the New York Mets organization. Should he make the club out of spring training, he would be the first Canuck to suit up for the team since Rob Zastryzny (Edmonton, Alta.) made one relief appearance in 2022.