Cole Young, who showed promising moments during his rookie season with the Seattle Mariners in 2025, enters 2026 poised to secure the starting second baseman role. At 22 years old, Young has taken significant steps in the offseason to improve his readiness, aiming to fully establish himself as a key contributor for the Mariners this year.
Mariners’ GM Justin Hollander Highlights Young’s Offseason Progress
Seattle Mariners general manager Justin Hollander commended Young’s commitment to improving his physical condition during the offseason. Hollander told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk,
“I think he really changed his body this offseason. I’m really proud of what he did in the offseason.”
This transformation is translating into better performance during spring training, where Young is showing increased mobility and arm strength.
Hollander further explained the enhancements that Young has demonstrated:
“He’s moving better, he’s throwing better, and I think you’ll see him be able to maintain consistent bat speed, (a) consistent approach, and get to some pitches that he maybe didn’t get to at the end of last season when he was tired and kind of the league had exposed a small hole from him.”
Promising Midseason Stretch Tempered by Late-Season Struggles in 2025
Young experienced a slow start after his MLB debut but then produced an impressive 50-game run from June through mid-August 2025. During this stretch, he slashed .281/.369/.399 with a .768 OPS, hitting three home runs, seven doubles, a triple, and drawing 20 walks against 28 strikeouts. One standout moment was his 456-foot home run at T-Mobile Park, the longest by any Mariners player that season, surpassing all of Cal Raleigh’s home runs combined.
Despite this surge, Young’s production declined sharply at the end of the season, going 3 for 51 in his final 21 games. This downturn contributed to his omission from the Mariners’ postseason roster.
Competition for the Second Base Role Intensifies in Spring Training
The Mariners reinforced their infield depth by acquiring All-Star utility player Brendan Donovan, primarily slated for third base despite his extensive experience at second. Meanwhile, top prospect Colt Emerson continues to split time between shortstop and third base, leaving Young in competition with Ryan Bliss, Leo Rivas, and Miles Mastrobuoni as possible starters at second base this spring.
Regarding Young’s battle for the position, Hollander expressed optimism:
“I think he’s showing us that he’s ready to play in the big leagues and ready to just take the job and run with it,”
adding,
“Really excited. What he needed to do, he did, which is the work in the offseason. He checked that box for sure.”
Anticipated Impact of Young’s Progress for Mariners’ 2026 Season
Cole Young’s physical improvements and early spring training performances signal that he could become a foundational piece for the Mariners as they build their 2026 roster. With strong competition around him, Young’s ability to maintain consistency and avoid late-season fatigue will be critical to solidifying his role. Seattle fans and management alike will be watching closely to see if he can translate his offseason efforts into a full-season breakthrough, potentially influencing the team’s standing and infield stability going forward.
