Chicago Cubs have a long-term first base option not named Anthony Rizzo

Chicago Cubs: Professionally speaking

The 2017 season marked Young’s first year in professional baseball. He didn’t blow the doors off the place, but he held his own. In 39 games for Low-A Eugene, Young slashed a respectable .257/.311/.336 with one home run and 15 RBI. He also stole six bags and finished the short stint with a .306 wOBA and slightly below-average 87 wRC+. Not too bad for the then 21-year-old.

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Last year, Young made significant strides. Beginning the year at Class-A South Bend, Young indeed rose to the occasion. During his 69 game stretch, Young impressively slashed .313/.368/.525 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI. The strikeout rate decreased from a modest 19.0 to 16.0 percent, and Young finished the year by posting a .399 wOBA and 150 wRC+.

Finishing his campaign at Class-A Advanced Myrtle Beach, Young saw his production dip slightly however it was nothing worth writing home about, and he still ended on an impressive note. The 51 games Young played for the Pelicans, he posted a still above-average .282/.341/.431 line with six home runs and 23 RBI. Stolen bases saw an uptick as Young once again swiped six bags.

Regarding the production against the rest of the league, Young was still in the above-average class, finishing with a .354 wOBA and 118 wRC+. Defensively, Young was solid. Across 270 2/3 innings at first base, the lanky lefty finished with just two errors and a .992 fielding percentage.