MLB Player Profile: Michael Young
Texas Rangers’ designated hitter, Michael Young had a promising season so far as he presented a superb performance in last three games to give his team a credible victory. He also had a strong background in his Major League Baseball career. Born on October
19, 1976, Young is a right-fielder and stands 6ft 1in.
Young began his skilled MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1994. He made history by performing extremely well for the Orioles. Later on, he joined Toronto Blue Jays for his fifth round of MLB Draft in 1997. Young was selected in a trading list during
2000 and joined the Rangers after exchanging with Darwin Cubillan.
The 34-year-old veteran had an exemplary fielding percentage of .988 in year 2002. He was on top of the hitters list during 2003 as he had 204 hits in the Major League. He experienced different fielding positions in the initial years of his professional
career. Young was given the short-stop position in December, 2003 as Alex Rodriguez was traded with Alfonso Soriano.
In the American League 2004 season, Young become the second man to produce 216 hits from his bat with an average of .313. He was known as a key player for his team as he scored runs with continuous intervals and earned fame after getting an American League
batting champion award in 2005. With his firm struggle with the bat, he attained the Number one spot in MLB hits as he had 221 hits.
Young was consistent with his performance as he posted 114 runs with 688 at-bats and had 91 RBIs in the American League. He was the top competitor among all the short-stop players and was selected for the MLB All-Star Game of 2006. He displayed a notable
performance during that game and outclassed the pitchers by hitting a crucial triple during ninth inning. Later on, he was awarded a Ted Williams MLB All-Star Game MVP award as he contributed a major role.
At the mid of 2006 season, he fell way down to his batting average and hits as he was able to hit only 103 RBIs with an average of .314. He was equally one of the best fielders as he had a high fielding percentage of .981 at short-stop position. During 2007,
Young marked his foot strongly in the Rangers’ squad and contracted a huge deal worth $80-million with the Rangers. It was a long-term agreement and ended after 2013.
Ichiro Suzuki and Wade Boggs were the other players in the ranking of hits. Young also participated in one of the greatest All-Star Games of MLB history. He was eminent in 2008 season as he won the Gold Glove award due to his extraordinary performance of
driving a winning RBI in a vital game.
Young faced a big challenge during 2009 as he was assigned a third base position in spite of short-stop but he overcame the test with a full confidence. April 19, 2009 was considered as Young’s most memorable day in his MLB career. Batting against the Kansas
City Royals’ pitcher Kyle Farnsworth, he hit his first walk-off homer towards left-field spot.
During 2010 season, he maintained his terrific form with the bat and acquired a mark of 1748 hits in his career. There were some controversies in trading matters of Young but it was solved without any movement. Young continued to raise his batting average
from game-to-game. He attained 2000 career hits in a game against the Cleveland Indians on August, 7, 2011.
Young’s career has been firm and a minor dip in form is usual. However, he should demonstrate himself to be a muscular player with a strong renaissance in this season to help the Rangers to the World Series.
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