Eric Young, Jr.

Eric Young, Jr.

Young Jr. with the New York Mets
Atlanta Braves – No. 4
Outfielder / Second baseman
Born: May 25, 1985
Piscataway, New Jersey
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 25, 2009 for the Colorado Rockies
Career statistics
(through April 20, 2015)
Batting average .251
Home runs 8
Runs batted in 86
Stolen bases 140
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Eric Orlando Young, Jr. (born May 25, 1985) is an American professional baseball second baseman and outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is the son of former professional baseball player Eric Young. He was the National League stolen bases champion in 2013. He previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets.

Baseball career

Young was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and began his career playing in 2004 for the Casper Rockies (now the Grand Junction Rockies), that was an advanced rookie team and that was part of the Pioneer Baseball League that is located in Casper, Wyoming.

In 2006 Young led all minor leaguers in stolen bases, with 87.[1] He then won the Arizona Fall League batting title, finishing with a .430 average.[2]

Colorado Rockies

Young Jr. appeared in the 2009 Futures Game, hitting a three-run home run. The world team won 7 to 5.[3]

Young Jr. made his major league debut on August 25, 2009 for the Colorado Rockies playing Center Field. He had his first career hit in this game during the 5th inning and ended the game 1-4. Eric Young, Sr. was in attendance for his son's debut.

On September 8, 2009, he hit his first career home run in the bottom of the 6th inning against the Cincinnati Reds.

During spring training for the 2010 season he was optioned to the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Sky Sox.[4] On April 25, 2010, Eric Young Jr. was recalled to the Rockies from the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. On May 15, 2010 he suffered a stress fracture and was placed on the DL to return to Coors Field on August 14, 2010. On May 27, 2011 he was called back up to the Rockies with an above 300 batting average from the Sky Sox.

New York Mets

He was designated for assignment on June 12, 2013 and traded to the New York Mets on June 18, 2013 in exchange for Collin McHugh.[5]

On August 2, 2013, Young hit the first walk-off hit of his career, a two-run home run, in the 11th inning against the Kansas City Royals.

On September 29, 2013, in the final game of the season, Young stole his 45th and 46th bases against the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the National League stolen base leader. He is the Mets' first stolen bases champion since José Reyes in 2007.

On December 2, 2014, Young was non-tendered by the Mets.

Atlanta Braves

Young signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on February 13, 2015. The deal includes an invitation to spring training.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Winston, Lisa (July 10, 2009). "Young Jr. ready for Futures Game". MLB.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  2. ↑ Torenli, John (November 20, 2008). "Young captures AFL batting title". MLB.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ Nightengale, Bob (July 13, 2009). "World a winner on soggy night in Futures game". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (June 18, 2013). "Mets acquire Young from Rockies for McHugh". MLB.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Eric Young Jr, Braves reach minor league deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ Bowman, Mark (February 13, 2015). "Braves ink speedy Young to Minor League deal". Retrieved February 15, 2015.

External links