The Philadelphia Phillies have invited infielder/outfielder Delwyn Young to their Spring Training roster.
Young, who spent five seasons in the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angles Dodgers, is among seven players who have received non-roster invites to be a part of the Phils’ Spring Training roster.
Infielder Robb Quinlan and Reliever Brian Bass also received invites after both spent time in the majors last season, with the Pirates and Angels respectively.
Both Quinlan and Bass are intriguing players, but none of them present the Phils with what Young has to offer.
Although not the greatest hitter after batting just .236 last season, Young was third in the majors with 16 pinch-hits. He’s also a very versatile player, having played all over the field during his major league tenure, including multiple infield positions.
Young has very little power at the plate, hitting just 17 home runs in his career (seven in 2009), but he does have a lifetime average of .258, which isn’t necessarily bad considering that he’s been used mostly as a pinch-hitter and has battled injuries throughout his career.
In 2008, following his first career walk-off single against the San Francisco Giants, Young struggled to stay healthy, and had to undergo surgery on his elbow during the off-season. Following elbow surgery, Young was cut by the Dodgers after suffering a minor injury before the season.
He turned his career around in Pittsburgh, moving to second base and finishing with 43 RBI’s, two triples, and 16 doubles while batting .266.
If there’s one thing that has stood out during his up-and-down career, it would have to be his two-run home run against Stephen Strasburg during his first career start in the majors. Aside from that, Young’s had a few highlights, including the aforementioned walk-off hit against San Francisco, and he’s had a few low points, such as the injuries that have plagued his career.
But Young, 28, is still young (no pun intended), and with the Phillies still looking for a right-field option, Young has a chance to land himself a spot on the opening day roster.
The acquisition of Young adds another new face to the right-field competition, which consists of Domonic Brown, Ben Francisco, Ross Gload, and John Mayberry.
Similar to last season, Young could play the role of what Wilson Valdez was for Philadelphia in 2010: an all-around player who can put the ball in play while playing solid defense.
Don’t be surprised if Young turns a few heads this off-season. I have spent time watching him play with the Pirates, and I must say, he’s a very good athlete, but as mentioned previously in the article, his ability (or lack there of) to be stuck on the disabled list has put his growth as a major league player at a standstill.
What are your thoughts on Young and do you think he could make the opening day roster?
A good role player who is Versatile and a Professional
But isn’t Delwyn Young a another Left-Handed Batter..
They need a Right-hand batter to balance out this heavy “Lefty” line-up…
He is a switch-hitter.
Finaly Delwyn will get the chance the Dodgers should have gave him, but he has been humbel,and paitent. And the sports writer is so on target, in this article it’s good to see someone see that Delwyn is an athletic. Do’nt worry about that right hand hitter, Delwyn is problably in the cage right now hitting a thousand or more from the right hand side, he is a hard worker, a blue collar type, he will be chopping at that ball, like he chops that wood with an ax. in the winter time, oh this is the winter time. Man i’m excieted about springtime baseball see that battle for right field go DY..