Mariners’ Cole Young Emerging as Early Contender for Most Improved

This article dives into Cole Young’s rookie season with the Seattle Mariners. It explores the early obstacles that limited his impact and the deliberate offseason plan that sparked a dramatic spring turnaround.

It highlights how targeted conditioning, refined mechanics, and disciplined footwork might just make Young the long-term answer at second base.

Offseason reset and the path back

Young showed up to his first big-league camp expecting a quick taste of the majors before heading back to Triple-A. But a messy mix of injuries and roster gaps totally changed that plan.

Ryan Bliss went down early, and Jorge Polanco’s limited mobility forced Young into everyday duties. Suddenly, his vulnerabilities were on display.

Things got tougher with nagging arm soreness from spring training. The grind of a full season just wore him down, and he ended up left off the playoff roster.

He wasn’t going to let that be the story, though. Young committed to a tough offseason plan, focusing on conditioning and nutrition.

He used a Trajekt machine to sharpen his timing on fastballs, hoping to turn that into more barrel contact and power. He also put a lot of energy into his footwork at second base, figuring that was the real culprit behind his throwing and turnover issues—not his arm strength.

Key changes that fueled the turnaround

• Targeted conditioning and nutrition program to handle a longer season and recover faster
• Trajekt machine work for better timing on fastballs and improved swing decisions
• Defensive footwork overhaul at second base to fix throwing and turnover issues
• Double-play feeds and turn mechanics sharpened with coaches’ help
• Coaching emphasis from Perry Hill and other instructors to reset Young’s approach at second

The offseason gave Young a real confidence boost. His spring wasn’t just about staying healthy—it was about fixing habits that held him back as a rookie.

He showed up to camp more prepared, with a plan and the discipline to stick with it.

Spring training breakout and defensive refinement

The impact of Young’s offseason work really showed in spring training. His bat suddenly stood out.

He led the Mariners with six home runs and picked up four doubles. He kept posting some of the camp’s hardest exit velocities, hinting at not just power but improved barrel control and better contact.

His swing mechanics, which used to lag behind his arm strength, finally started to match his athleticism.

Defensively, Young’s footwork changes were obvious. Plays that used to end with off-target throws now looked cleaner and more accurate.

The improvements at second went beyond clean catches. Double-play feeds looked smoother, and transitions were more reliable—pretty crucial at a spot where one mistake can flip a game.

Coaching impact and the roadmap ahead

Mariners manager Dan Wilson and GM Jerry Dipoto made it clear: they believe Young arrived at camp ready to take a step forward.

The coaching staff pointed to his work ethic and preparation as reasons for their confidence in his long-term future. Now, with the regular season ahead, the question is whether Young can keep up the defensive gains and make the most of his new power. Could he be Seattle’s answer at second for years to come? Time will tell.

Projection and the potential trajectory at second base

Projection systems gave Young modest ceilings before his spring surge. ZiPS put him at about 2 WAR, while Bloodline Projection (BP) sat around 0.7 WARP.

But then spring came, and his jump in power and steadier defense really changed the outlook. If he keeps this up—sticking with the better approach—he might just blow past those early projections.

If Young holds onto his improved defense and keeps showing more power, he could actually become the Mariners’ long-term answer at second base. That’d mean a steady mix of range, arm accuracy, and some real offensive upside.

In Seattle, the story’s shifted to a young guy who took a tough rookie year and turned it into something promising. Early signs point to a player who fits what the team needs right now, but also has the space to grow into a core piece at second base for a while.

For Mariners fans, the offseason plan finally seems to be working out. Young looks ready to help both on the field and in the clubhouse, maybe even stepping up as a leader—not just another young bat with upside.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners’ Cole Young makes early bid for Most Improved Player