NEW YORK — After blasting a two-run homer for the Mets on Tuesday night, Jared Young was reminded that it had been 613 days since his last major league home run.
“Yeah, it felt that long,” Young admitted. “This is the best league in the world, so you have to bring your best to compete and succeed here. I’m just glad to be back, and that home run felt great.”
Young, 29, was called up from the minors on Saturday after spending part of last season playing in South Korea. The Canadian outfielder helped the Mets secure a 6-4 win over the Chicago White Sox.
His homer came in the first inning, a drive over the right-field fence that gave New York a 4-2 lead. It was Young’s third career MLB home run and his first since September 22, 2023, when he was with the Cubs facing Colorado.
Young also contributed a sharp double to right-center field in the third inning, setting up a sacrifice fly by Jeff McNeil. It was the first time in his 26 major league games that he recorded multiple extra-base hits in a single contest.
Mets star Pete Alonso praised Young’s performance. “He looked great and has been taking good at-bats. Tonight really showed what he can do,” Alonso said. “He’s a fantastic teammate and performer — it’s been a pleasure having him here.”
With designated hitter Jesse Winker on the injured list, the Mets brought Young up from Triple-A Syracuse to face a series of right-handed pitchers. He has started four consecutive games and impressed Manager Carlos Mendoza with his plate discipline, though Tuesday’s homer was his first hit as a Met.
“He’s earned this opportunity,” Mendoza said. “After a lot of hard work, time in the minors, going overseas, he’s back in the majors and making the most of it. I like his approach, and it was great to see him get some results.”
Young’s journey included playing at smaller schools in Oklahoma and North Dakota before being drafted by the Cubs in the 15th round in 2017 out of Old Dominion University. He debuted with Chicago in 2022 and had limited action in 2023 before being claimed off waivers by St. Louis. After a stint in Triple-A Memphis, he was released in July and signed with the Doosan Bears in South Korea, where he hit .326 with 10 homers in 38 games. He was teammates there with Mets lefty Brandon Waddell.
New York signed Young last December and assigned him to Syracuse, where he started the season on the injured list. Once healthy, he dominated Triple-A pitching, hitting .259 with a .393 on-base and .533 slugging percentage, including 5 homers, 5 doubles, 21 RBIs, and 12 walks in 22 games before his call-up.
“You’ve got to believe in yourself and the player you are,” Young said. “There will be ups and downs in any career, but confidence helps you get where you want.”
Asked about his comfort level at the plate in the majors, Young said he feels “pretty comfortable,” aiming to keep his approach consistent across levels. “Just focus on good at-bats and being tough to strike out.”
He certainly delivered Tuesday, batting sixth in a powerful Mets lineup featuring stars like Alonso, Juan Soto, and Francisco Lindor.
“It’s awesome,” Young said. “This team is full of great players, and we’re winning a lot. Being part of it, I feel like I belong, and it’s a good fit. Hopefully, we can keep winning.”
Leave a Reply