The Mariners' Second Base Conundrum: Can Cole Young Step Up? **
The Seattle Mariners have a question mark at second base, and it's a position they've struggled to fill since the departure of Robinson Canó. But could the young rookie, Cole Young, be the answer they've been seeking? It's a controversial topic among fans and analysts alike.**
When you think of the longest home runs in the 2025 season, names like Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, or Eugenio Suárez might come to mind. But surprisingly, it was Cole Young, the 21-year-old rookie second baseman, who hit a monstrous 456-foot shot. And yet, his overall numbers don't jump off the page.
Young's rookie season was a tale of potential and inconsistency. While he showed flashes of brilliance, like a 166 wRC+ over a 26-game stretch, he finished the season with a disappointing .211 batting average and a negative fWAR. But with Brendan Donovan now at third base, Young is poised for another shot at second.
The Mariners' second base struggles are well-documented. Since Canó's trade, they've cycled through numerous players, including Dee Strange-Gordon and Adam Frazier, without finding a long-term solution. The numbers are stark: since 2019, Mariners second basemen rank near the bottom in almost every offensive category.
But there's hope for Young. He became the youngest Mariner to play second base in nearly a decade and showed impressive plate discipline, ranking highly in walk rate and BB/K ratio. His batted ball profile is promising, with a fly ball rate well above the MLB average and a pull rate that makes him a potential power threat.
However, Young has areas to improve. His performance against fastballs was a major weakness, ranking near the bottom among hitters. And his defensive metrics at second base were equally concerning, with negative Outs Above Average and Fielding Run Value. These are significant hurdles to overcome.
Cole Young is still very young and has room to develop. With just 77 career games, he has shown enough potential to keep fans and the team hopeful. The Mariners have made moves to strengthen their lineup, and if Young can contribute, they could be a force to be reckoned with. But is he the missing piece, or will the second base search continue?
What do you think? Is Cole Young the answer to the Mariners' second base prayers, or should they keep searching? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
