WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. 每 When the ball left Mike Siani＊s bat, Jacob Young took off toward the center-field wall, turning to follow the trajectory. As he neared the warning track, he stretched out his left arm. Young secured the deep fly ball and ran one step up the wall to halt his momentum.
As he did so many times last year as a rookie, Young made an inning-ending play that stranded a Cardinals runner look seamless on Saturday.
※He got a great reaction, he got on it quick and he busted his butt to get to it. It was a great catch,§ said starting lefty DJ Herz. ※... I feel like he＊s always got a chance to get it no matter where it＊s hit or how hard it＊s hit.§
Young＊s first full season in the Major Leagues was a defensive spectacular. The center fielder dazzled with jaw-dropping plays that earned him National League Gold Glove Award finalist recognition. His accolades included leading the Majors in runs prevented (18) and tying for second among all players 每 first among outfielders 每 in outs above average (19).
Yet the 25-year-old, who debuted on Aug. 26, 2023, isn＊t settling. Instead of spending the offseason resting on his accomplishments, Young focused on how he can continue getting better this season.
※There＊s a lot more out there in terms of arm accuracy and arm power, being able to throw guys out and limit more runners,§ Young said. ※Some of the little mistakes 每 like a couple bobbled ground balls 每 I＊m just trying to clean up the little things. Let the instincts go play on everything else, but on the simpler balls making sure you＊re staying focused and cleaning up those easier ones.§
Young trained this offseason at CORTX Sports Performance, where the outfield anchor took note of the pitchers. He watched how right-handers Mike Baumann, Jonathan Cannon and Tyler Wells approached their routines, observing their warmups to gain some tips.
※It＊s all about arm path and making sure you＊re throwing a true spin ball,§ Young said. ※Making sure you have four-seam spin on it, and you＊re not throwing a sinker to the infielders, or a cutter.§
Young isn＊t relying on his acrobatic defense this season. He wants to improve upon ranking in the 59th percentile overall last year with an 86.2 mph average arm strength. Among center fielders, he was tied for 46th (a minimum of 50 throws). In arm value, a Statcast metric that evaluates the performance of baserunners and outfielders in taking or preventing extra bases, he was -2.
※I think it＊s all about trying to time up the arm with the lower body,§ Young said. ※My feet like to move really fast, so I＊m trying to make sure they don＊t get ahead of my arm and it leaves my arm behind and causes less power in the throw and less accuracy. So [I＊m] just making sure the body＊s timed up with the arm and try to sync them up together.§
Only two of Young＊s seven outfield fielding errors last season (out of eight total) were missed catches on fly balls; the other five were on balls hit in front of him. During the offseason, Young went through ground ball work with infielders at the training facility.
※He＊s never going to be complacent, he always wants to get better,§ said manager Dave Martinez. ※The ground balls are just a thing about his footwork 每 getting to the balls quicker, breaking down a little bit sooner. He wants to run through everything; sometimes he＊s got to slow himself down.§
Young has a wide-lens view of the Nationals＊ defense in center field, and he enjoyed observing the process of other position players during the offseason.
※It＊s incredible what each of us do in terms of what we focus on and what matters to us,§ said Young. ※[Pitchers] are all about their arms and elbows and lower body stuff. And the hitters, we＊re all about our swings. It＊s fun to see what they put all their time into and work with them.§
Martinez appreciates Young＊s hunger to continue developing in his second full season in the Majors. Martinez also basks in the natural talent of the humble athlete.
※He says all these things, and then all of a sudden, he throws a ball from center field to throw a guy out at home plate,§ Martinez said. ※It＊s like, ＆OK, Jacob. You keep working on your stuff, and we＊ll be fine.＊ As I said before, I love writing his name in the lineup. You know what you＊re going to get from him. Every time you put him out there, he＊s going to give you all he has.§