Arizona Diamondbacks player Andy Young’s ride to the Big Leagues has had some hurdles but he has found a home and sense of appreciation during his time with the Diamondbacks organization.
St Louis Cardinals Organization
Young signed with the St Louis Cardinals organization in 2016. He made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Cardinals before receiving a promotion to the State College Spikes of the New York-Penn League. In 53 games between the two clubs, he hit three homeruns with 24 RBI while batting .271.
He began 2017 with the Peoria Chiefs and was named to the Midwest League All-Star Game. After batting .284 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI in 58 games with Peoria, he was promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals. In 57 games for Palm Beach, he hit .265 with five home runs and twenty RBI.
The 2018 season started with Young at Palm Beach followed with a promotion to AA Springfield in July. In 119 games between the two clubs, he slashed .289 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI. After the 2018 season, he played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.
Traded to Arizona in 2018
In December 2018 the Diamondbacks sent Paul Goldschmidt to the Cardinals. In return they received pitcher Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, and Young. While splitting his season between AA Jackson and AAA Reno, Young set career-high marks in home runs (29) and RBI (81) during his first year in the Diamondbacks system.
Not Considered a Top Prospect
He was never considered a top prospect while in the Cardinals organization. In the minors he saw time at shortstop, second base, third base, and all three outfield spots.
If he was going to make it to the majors it would be with his utility experience. He would get an occasional start and be used as a pinch hitter/runner and defensive replacement.
The Forgotten Player
When the trade was completed Young was considered the “throw-in guy,” as Kelly and Weaver were considered the key players of the trade. Several baseball scouts were saying he would be a career minor league player.
Diamondbacks 40-Man Roster
The Diamondbacks added him to their 40-man roster in November 2019 with an invite to spring training. His competition for a roster spot with the team were Domingo Leyba, Josh Rojas, and Ildemaro Vargas. He was having a good camp but was optioned to AAA Reno.
Abbreviated Season
When MLB finally came up with a plan for a 2020 abbreviated season, Young was back competing for a roster spot in the “summer camp.” With the suspension of Leyba it appeared he earned a roster spot.
When the regular season started, he found himself with the team’s expanded player pool at their alternate training site at Salt River Fields. Then came the surprise trade of Vargas to the Minnesota Twins, and with Josh Rojas being optioned it opened a spot. He received the news he was being called up to the big league club.
Since His Call-Up
Since his call-up, Young has made the most of his big-league opportunity. He went 2-for-2 with a double in his first-ever plate appearance against the Houston Astros on August 4, then he hit his first home run on August 9. He has played second, third, and left field.
New Utility Player
Teams today have limited roster space adding more relief pitchers so a utility player has become more valuable. Some baseball players make their name in the league by playing multiple positions.
And with the trade of Vargas, Young appears to be the new utility player. If he keeps working and improving each aspect of the game, he could stay with the Diamondbacks long-term.
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