The New York Mets announced Monday that they have signed infielder Jared Young to a one-year MLB contract. The 29-year-old Canadian from Prince George, British Columbia has MLB experience with the Chicago Cubs. In his career with them, he has recorded a .210 batting average across 62 at-bats he recorded 10 runs, 13 hits, eight RBI, and six walks. In terms of Young’s role with the Mets, he will likely be a bench player and could spend more time in the minors. But Young is a player who the Mets can help develop in 2025. The Mets signing Young will provide them with depth in the infield, especially first base with Pete Alonso joining free agency.
The Mets signed infielder Jared Young to a Major League contract. He has 22 games of experience in the bigs but has spent most of his career in the minors and Korea. (He OPS’d 1.080 in the KBO this season.)
With the Mets, Young is a bench candidate who may wind up at Triple-A.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 16, 2024
Mets Sign Jared Young to MLB Contract
In 2024, Young split time between the KBO League (Korea Baseball Organization) and the St. Louis Cardinals Triple-A affiliate team. Young slashed .285/.411/.506 with the Memphis Redbirds with 11 home runs across 74 games. In the KBO, he slashed .326/.420/.660 with 10 home runs across 38 games. He also demonstrated a successful season with KBO sporting a wRC+ of 172. Young also has defensive versatility, as he can play first base, third base, left field, and right field.
Jared Young’s first career home run was SMOKED 💥 @advocatehealth pic.twitter.com/V8ZSAyHXom
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 29, 2023
Young showcased that he has some power at the plate when he hit his first MLB career home run against Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola on June 29th, 2023. This was a big success in Young’s early MLB career to go yard against an ace pitcher. While Young has spent more time in the minors he still has a lot to show for the numbers he has put up. Among 926 hitters across a minimum of 600 plate appearances in the minors since 2023, Young was tied for the 16th-highest OBP (.414) and owned the 11th-highest slugging % (.547). It will be compelling to see how the Mets utilize him in the 2025 season.
Photo Credit: © David Banks-Imagn Images
