Cole Young

Performance Analysis

How Cole Young plays at 2B earns him a B performance grade. The .250 AVG across 63 games in 2026 reflects a second-year player operating in solid-starter territory — not yet an above-average regular, but demonstrably functional in a major-league lineup with clear upside trajectory. His defensive reputation has reached elite status, anchoring his value proposition at the position and giving the Mariners a foundation they can build around despite offensive limitations. The strikeout rate of 51 K tells the familiar story of a young hitter still chasing consistency at the plate, a vulnerability that keeps him from reaching above-average offensive tier despite the underlying skill development Seattle's coaching staff is clearly nurturing. Over 63 games, Young has logged meaningful playing time — the kind of exposure that allows for real evaluation rather than sample-size noise — and his 4 HR output suggests power remains a work-in-progress against major-league velocity. At 22 and in just his second season, Young embodies the classic developmental archetype: elite glove carrying the case for immediate impact, patient hitting mechanics building the case for future production, and a front office that has positioned him as a cornerstone rather than a placeholder, which aligns squarely with how Seattle's media and fanbase have begun framing his role in the organization's competitive window.