Jacob Young Shines Defensively in Breakout Season
Jacob Young, Washington highlighted in their Season in Review for the 2024 campaign, “[led] all of MLB with 19 runs prevented and 21 outs above average, per Baseball Savant,” both of which, the Nationals noted, “… were the most in a season by any OF in MLB since 2019.”
Young, 25, and a 2nd Round pick by the Nats in 2021 (out of the University of Florida), had a breakout defensive run in his second season in the majors after he debuted with 33 games in 2023. Young played in 150 games total this past year, and his defensive play earned him a nod as a Gold Glove finalist in the National League.
Outstanding Defensive Stats
“Among center fielders,” the club added in a press release on Young being named a finalist, “Young had four more runs prevented and four more outs above average than his second-place counterpart [fellow NL Gold Glove nominee in center, the Rockies’ Brenton Doyle].”
“Young also led all MLB outfielders with 15 outs on balls at a 25-50 percent catch probability and was tied for the Major League-lead with seven catches made with a 0-25 percent catch probability.
“The speedy outfielder tied the quickest reaction time (feet covered in the first 1.5 seconds of opportunity) in the Statcast era (2016-pres.), matching Enrique Hernández’s mark of 4.7 feet from 2021. The next closest outfielder in 2024 produced just 2.4 feet.”
“Jacob Young, I mean, what he’s done this year was really, really, really good,” Nats’ manager Davey Martinez told reporters over the final weekend of the season.
“I mean, I say this every day, every time I see him, the guy is a Gold Glover.”
“According to FanGraphs,” the Nationals wrote, “… Young also led all National League center fielders (min. 1000.0 innings) in defensive rating with a 13.4 and was tied for the lead with 11 defensive runs saved.”
Recognition and Praise
GM and President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo told 106.7 the FAN in D.C.’s Sports Junkies in late August he thought Young established himself as an elite defender out in center this season, and did all he needed to in order to win a Gold Glove.
“To me he’s the Gold Glove winner,” Rizzo told the Junkies. “A guy that just keeps improving, and getting better and better and plays every day, plays nicked up, plays really hard in the outfield, and slams into walls, and not afraid of fences or walls or anything else. We’re really proud of him, from where he’s come from, a seventh-round pick that’s really blossomed into something that’s really going to be a nice piece for us going forward.”
Looking to make History
Are Martinez and Rizzo right? Did Young earn a Gold Glove with his defensive play in center this season?
If he does:
“Young looks to become just the 18th rookie in the 67-year history of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards to be named a recipient and just the seventh to win as an outfielder.”
Additional Insight:
Jacob Young’s defensive performance in the 2024 season showcases his exceptional abilities and solidifies his position as one of the top outfielders in the league. His quick reaction time, agility, and fearless playstyle have garnered praise from both his team’s management and baseball analysts. If Young does indeed win the Gold Glove Award, he will join a select group of rookies who have achieved this honor, further solidifying his place in baseball history.
