Chavez Young

CHAVEZ YOUNG, CENTER FIELDER
Born: July 8, 1997
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 200
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Drafted: 39th Round, 1182nd Overall, 2016 (Toronto Blue Jays)
How Acquired: Trade (from Blue Jays)
High School: Faith Baptist Christian Academy (Ludowici, GA)
Agent: N/A

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
Young is a speedy, switch-hitting outfielder with good defensive ability and a very strong arm.  He’s also been a good base stealer in the minors.  His bat has always been suspect and he’s generally struggled more as he’s moved up.  Unlike a lot of switch hitters, he hasn’t generally had much of a platoon split.  The Pirates acquired him for Zach Thompson.

2016
R:  274/346/438, 73 AB, 8 2B, 2 3B, 6 BB, 26 K, 6-7 SB

Playing mostly in center, Young had a good debut in rookie ball, except his plate discipline was poor.

2017
R+:  282/332/441, 252 AB, 14 2B, 7 3B, 4 HR, 13 BB, 58 K, 4-9 SB
A-:  308/400/539, 13 AB, 1 2B, 1 3B, 5 K

The Jays sent Young to advanced rookie ball for most of his second season and he hit about the same as in his first, although with a much lower K rate and also a lower walk rate.

2018
A:  285/363/445, 470 AB, 33 2B, 9 3B, 8 HR, 58 BB, 100 K, 44-57 SB

Young moved up to full-season ball and had a much better season, with solid power, much better plate discipline and a lot of steals, although his success rate was just OK.  He split his time between center and right.

2019
A+:  247/315/354, 401 AB, 17 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 35 BB, 102 K, 24-35 SB

In High A, Young had a good deal more trouble at the plate, tailing off in every area.

2020
DNP

2021
AA:  265/350/409, 279 AB, 15 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 35 BB, 83 K, 20-21 SB

After missing the pandemic season, Young bounced back slightly in AA.  He missed about a month starting in late May.

2022
A:  278/350/444, 18 AB, 1 HR, 1 BB, 5 K, 1-1 SB
AAA:  234/331/351, 214 AB, 6 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 30 BB, 58 K, 20-21 SB

Young’s season got a late start, as he missed April and much of May with a foot injury suffered in winter ball.  Once he got on the field, his hitting tailed off sharply, especially his power.  He was very efficient as a base stealer, both in 2021 and 2022.

It’s hard to see Young as more than AAA depth for the Pirates, something for which they had no need at all.  He’s eligible for minor league free agency after the 2023 season.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2023: Minor League Salary
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $200,000
MiLB Debut: 2016
MLB Debut: 9/18/2021
MiLB FA Eligible: 2023
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 0
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 11, 2016: Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 39th round, 1182nd overall pick; signed on July 15.
January 10, 2023: Traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Zach Thompson.