It's fair to say that the Mariners are driven by the middle of their order, but it's also fair to acknowledge just how good Young has been at the bottom.
Through the first 20 games this season, the Seattle Mariners were 8-12 and the offense was largely non-existent.
Fast forward to now: The Mariners are at 15-16 through 31 games and with a win on Wednesday, will end April with a .500 record.
I think back to something that Buster Olney of ESPN told me on an April 17 episode of the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast, an episode in which he portrayed confidence in the Mariners despite the slow start.
"...I think it comes down to the three guys, the middle of your lineup that you're counting on to hit offensively, when it comes to Julio (Rodriguez), when it comes to Cal (Raleigh), and when it comes to Josh Naylor. And I think once those guys started hitting, this will be a very different looking team."
And Olney has been proven right on that front. Rodriguez, Raleigh and Naylor have all gotten hot, and they are turbo-charging the Seattle offense.
Look no further than Tuesday's win over the Minnesota Twins in which Rodriguez had three doubles and Naylor provided a four-RBI night.
It's fair to say that the Mariners are driven by the middle of their order and their highest-paid sluggers, but it's also fair to acknowledge just how good rookie second baseman Cole Young has been this season at the bottom of the order. Largely hitting out of the No. 8 spot, Young is hitting .278 with three home runs, 16 RBIs and a stolen base. He had a crucial game-tying hit in the seventh inning of Sunday's win against the St. Louis Cardinals, and had a go-ahead single in the seventh inning of Tuesday's win. In fact, he's one of just four Mariners players ever to have an RBI in 5+ straight games before the age of 23, joining Ken Griffey Jr. Alex Rodriguez and Ruppert Jones. Elite company.
Per notes shared by the Mariners ahead of Wednesday's contest:
over his last 12 games (4/16-c), Cole Young is batting .372 (16x43) with 7 runs, 1 double, 1 home run, 7 RBI, 3 walks, 1 stolen base and an .882 OPS...Young has recorded an RBI in 5-consecutive games (4/24-c)...the 22-year-old leads the Mariners with 1.9 Wins Above Replacement (Baseball-Reference) and leads MLB second basemen, ranking ahead of Nico Hoerner-CHC (1.8 bWAR)
Seattle Mariners infielder Cole Young (2) hits an RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning at Target Field. Nick Wosika-Imagn ImagesA former Top 100 prospect and a former first-round pick, Young made his debut last May, hitting .211 in 77 games. He was left off the playoff roster entirely, but put in the offseason work and has become an integral part of the offensive attack for manager Dan Wilson.
And given how hot Raleigh, Rodriguez and Naylor have been lately, it's extra beneficial to have Young help set the table for them and turn the lineup over with someone on base.
He had three more hits on Tuesday in the 7-1 win.
The Mariners will play the Twins at 10:40 a.m. PT on Wednesday before an off day on Thursday.
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