Cole Young is the young second baseman anchoring Seattle’s middle infield, a prospect who arrived in the majors in May 2025 with real expectations on his shoulders. At 23, the left-handed hitter from Pittsburgh has already shown he belongs — posting a .263 average in 2026 with 14 home runs in just his second big-league season.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Cole Young
- Position: Second Base
- Team: Seattle Mariners
- Number: 2
- Bats / Throws: Left / Right
- Height / Weight: 5’10» / 181 lbs
- Born: July 29, 2003 (23 years old)
- Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 🇺🇸
- MLB Debut: May 31, 2025
Background
Born on July 29, 2003, in Pittsburgh — a city with deep baseball roots — Cole Young worked his way through Seattle’s minor league system, refining both his defense and his bat at second base. The position demands quick thinking and precise throws, and Young showed he could handle both.
He made his MLB debut on May 31, 2025, stepping into the Mariners’ lineup as a 21-year-old. His first season was a learning curve: a .211 average, a .607 OPS, and 4 home runs in 24 games. The numbers were modest, but Seattle saw enough to keep building around him.
Professional Career
In 2025, Young put up 24 RBI and 24 runs scored — respectable for a rookie still finding his footing in the big leagues. The .607 OPS made it clear there was work to do offensively, but the foundation was there.
The 2026 season told a much better story. Young bumped his average nearly 50 points to .263, more than tripled his OPS to .727, and doubled his home run total to 14. He also drove in 52 runs and scored 54, confirming he had found his rhythm as Seattle’s everyday second baseman.
As a left-handed hitter who throws right, Young gives the Mariners useful versatility on both sides of the ball. His speed is a real asset too, though his 3 stolen bases in 2026 suggest there’s still more to unlock on the basepaths.
Career Stats
- 2026 – Seattle Mariners: .263 AVG | 14 HR | 52 RBI | 54 R | .727 OPS | 3 SB
- 2025 – Seattle Mariners: .211 AVG | 4 HR | 24 RBI | 24 R | .607 OPS | 1 SB
Awards and Recognition
At 23, Young hasn’t collected individual hardware yet — no Silver Sluggers, no MVP votes. But the jump from a .607 OPS in 2025 to .727 in 2026 is the kind of progression that gets organizations excited. If he keeps trending this way, the recognition will come.
One Thing Worth Knowing
Young is a Pittsburgh kid playing professional baseball — a city that has produced some memorable infielders over the years. When Seattle drafted him and brought him to the majors, it was a deliberate bet on a homegrown American prospect with long-term upside, not a quick fix. So far, that bet is looking pretty good.
