Cole Young -- Prospect Evaluation

Cole Young is a high school shortstop prospect with a high floor and four potential above-average tools, earning his highest ranking of 14th from Baseball America. The left-handed hitter's primary strength is an above-average hit tool, demonstrating ability to handle good velocity and generate contact and line drives. However, his limited power projection—estimated at 10-18 home runs—represents a significant weakness. Defensively, Young is capable of remaining at shortstop with sufficient arm strength to play third base if needed, though his lower-end power makes him less suitable for corner infield positions.

Young has committed to Duke University if he pursues college rather than professional baseball. Scout commentary reflects divided opinions on his draft prospects, with some viewing him as intriguing but high-risk, while others criticize the limited power output and low likelihood of remaining at shortstop, comparing his profile unfavorably to second basemen like Nick Madrigal and questioning whether he merits a high or mid-first round selection. The Cincinnati Reds possess significant draft capital for 2022, holding picks 18, 32, 55, and 73, plus the 8th largest bonus pool due to compensation for losing free agent Nick Castellanos.

Cole Young is a shortstop prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, selected 21st overall in the 2022 MLB Draft out of North Allegheny High School. Young distinguished himself on the showcase circuit as one of the top prep shortstops with exceptional contact skills comparable to top-tier prospects. At 6'0" and 180 pounds, Young bats left-handed and throws right-handed with an above-average arm and solid defensive instincts.

Young's offensive profile centers on elite contact ability and pitch recognition. He employs a slightly crouched setup with a lower hand position and demonstrates fast, direct swings. His flat bat path, ability to keep the barrel in the zone, and natural opposite-field tendencies suggest plus-hit potential. However, his physical frame limits power projection to fringy levels despite adequate bat speed and velocity recognition.

Defensively, Young is described as a capable and fluid shortstop with above-average speed, solid first-step quickness, and advanced instincts. His profile draws comparisons to Anthony Volpe, though Young's left-handed bat provides an advantage. Rankings have fluctuated between #1 and #2 prospect in the Mariners organization. Young was invited to spring training and assigned through the minor league system (Peoria to Tacoma Rainiers to active roster).

The Seattle Mariners' 2025 prospect rankings highlight five key prospects in their minor league system. Colt Emerson leads the rankings as a 19-year-old shortstop/third baseman at the A+ level with a projected 2026 MLB debut. Lazaro Montes, a 20-year-old outfielder standing 6'5", ranks second, also at the A+ level. Moving to higher levels, Cole Young and Harry Ford represent the most advanced prospects in the organization at the AAA level, both with 2025 MLB arrival projections. Young is a 21-year-old left-handed hitting shortstop/second baseman, while Ford is a 22-year-old catcher. Felnin Celesten rounds out the top five at age 19 as a switch-hitting shortstop at the A-level with a longer developmental timeline projected through 2028. Beyond the top rankings, the Mariners organization has garnered recent attention for Jurrangelo Cijntje, a notable ambidextrous pitching prospect who recently made his fourth start for the organization.

Cole Young, an 18-year-old shortstop from Wexford, Pennsylvania, was selected 21st overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2022 MLB Draft. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, Young bats left-handed and throws right-handed. He was a preseason All-American and had committed to play college baseball at Duke University prior to the draft.

Young is rated the No. 20 prospect in the 2022 draft class by MLB Pipeline, which graded him with a 60 hit and 40 power rating. He is characterized as a slick-fielding, contact-hitting middle infielder with exceptional bat-on-ball skills described as being among the best in the prospect class. Young has drawn comparisons to MLB players Adam Frazier and Stephen Drew, suggesting a profile focused on consistency and contact rather than power production. His journey toward professional baseball began in 2014 when, as a 9-10-year-old, he won the division championship at MLB's Pitch, Hit & Run program at Target Field.

Cole Young, the Seattle Mariners' top prospect, exemplifies the organization's philosophy of "dominating the zone" through elite bat-to-ball skills and plate control. In his first full professional season spanning two levels, Young is batting .278/.400/.451 with 52 extra-base hits and 61 RBIs. Notably, he has drawn 85 walks against 88 strikeouts, demonstrating disciplined approach at the plate. Following his July promotion to High-A Everett, Young's production improved further to .295 average and .897 OPS, a remarkable achievement given he is more than three years younger than the average Northwest League player.

The left-swinging middle infielder caught the organization's attention as an amateur, with GM Jerry Dipoto describing his swing as "one of the prettiest swings in the Draft." Scouts compare Young's playing style to All-Star Adam Frazier, who was with the Mariners during Young's selection. At six feet and 180 pounds, there is organizational belief that Young will develop additional power as he physically matures. Mariners director of player development Justin Toole characterizes Young as a controlled, composed player who doesn't rush decisions and makes "great swing decisions, which leads to good productive contact when he gets a pitch he likes."

Cole Young is a 21-year-old shortstop prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization currently playing at the AAA level. Drafted 21st overall in 2022 and signed for $3.3 million, Young demonstrates solid foundational skills as a prospect. FanGraphs rates his hit tool at 50/60 and speed at 50/50, indicating above-average contact ability and on-base skills. His power grades are more modest, with game power at 35/40 and raw power at 45/45, suggesting he projects more as a contact-oriented player than a slugger. The organization's analysis indicates his power output may have been suppressed in 2024 due to a wrist injury. Young currently holds a Future Value rating of 50 with a 2025 ETA and is ranked 87th overall among prospects. He will become Rule 5 eligible in December 2026. Recent spring training reports indicate he was dealing with an arm issue, limiting his availability in early 2025 games.

This scouting report focuses on Cole Young, a shortstop and second baseman prospect within the Seattle Mariners' minor league system. The report was authored by Austin Farmer and published by Prospects Worldwide, a platform dedicated to evaluating amateur and minor league baseball prospects. The article is part of Prospects Worldwide's comprehensive scouting report database, which covers prospects across various MLB organizations. Young's dual eligibility at shortstop and second base indicates versatility in the infield, a valued trait for prospect evaluation. The report appears to be part of a broader catalog of prospect evaluations covering multiple organizations and prospect levels.