Chicago Cubs Minors: Jared Young continues to shine at Double-A

Jared Young doesn’t need the glitz and glamour that comes with the label of a “top prospect.” The former 15th round selection was a flyer back in 2017, a bat the Chicago Cubs discovered with the idea that he could develop into a decent-enough prospect who one day make it to the big leagues.

Young has seemingly always flown under the radar since his selection based mainly on his draft profile, attending Division II Minot State, Connors State JC and Old Dominion, as well as his overall value. It was a good thing for the Cubs as it allowed them to discover a guy who has posted solid numbers for the better part of four years now.

Chicago Cubs Minors: Jared Young is meeting the challenge

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Following a below-league-average debut at Low-A in 2017, Young ceremoniously rebounded the next season at Class-A. The improvement was stifling. In 39 games at Low-A, Young posted an 87 wRC+ to do a complete 720 and hit .313 at Class-A over 69 games, finishing with a 150 wRC+ while at the same time showing off his power and cutting the strikeouts down.

He moved to High-A in the same year, holding his own by hitting .282 in 51 games. Again, Young posted an above-average 118 wRC+ managing to keep his strikeout numbers in check. His first time around, Double-A helped to expose some challenges and, following a year off due to the pandemic, has excelled this season.

In 35 games, Young is slashing .326/.396/.519 with four home runs, 22 RBI and three stolen bases. He is currently carrying a 152 wRC+ and is 5-for-8 over his past two games with a pair of RBI. The flurry of deadline moves actually pushed Young out of the organization’s top 30 prospect rankings, according to Baseball America (subscription required).

However, his scouting report from Baseball America showed he displayed raw power and competent defense at first base.

The Cubs also have Alfonso Rivas in the wings, whom they landed from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Tony Kemp. Rivas is the next man up at first base and should soon enough be up. It would also give Young his opportunity to see how he handles Triple-A pitching. Right now, Young has the hot hand, and the Cubs should be taking it in stride.