Chris Young (baseball outfielder)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Brandon Young (born September 5, 1983, in Houston, Texas
) is a center fielder
for the Arizona Diamondbacks
. In , he became the first rookie
in Major League history to hit 30 home run
s and steal
25 bases.
. He broke his arm in the state playoffs during his senior year attempting to catch a fly ball hit by Elkins High School's Chad Huffman
(currently an outfielder
in the Cleveland Indians
organization).
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox
in the 16th round of the MLB Draft
, Young was traded to the Diamondbacks with Orlando Hernández
and Luis Vizcaíno
for Javier Vázquez
and cash after the season.
All-Star outfielder. In 2005, he was a Baseball America
1st team Minor League All-Star outfielder and the Chicago White Sox Minor League Player of the Year. In , he was a Triple-A
All-Star outfielder and Baseball America 2nd team Minor League All-Star outfielder.
, Young hit his 23rd home run of the year, setting a Diamondbacks rookie record. He also became the 8th rookie to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases.
For the season, his 27 stolen base
s led all NL
rookies (13th in the NL overall), and his 32 home runs were enough for 2nd among NL rookies (behind Ryan Braun
, and tied for 10th overall). Among other accomplishments, Young finished 2nd among NL rookies in extra base hits (64) and at bats (569), 3rd in runs (85), and 5th in runs batted in
(68). He also batted .237 with a .295 on-base percentage, and led NL rookies by striking out
141 times.
Young was a unanimous selection to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team
as a result of the 49th annual Topps balloting of Major League managers. He finished fourth (10 points) in the vote for the 2007 NL Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award
by 488 major league players and 30 managers, losing to Braun (128 points). He also lost out to Braun in the competition for the 2007 Baseball America Rookie of the Year
Award, and in the Baseball Prospectus
2007 Internet Baseball NL Rookie of the Year Award, in which he came in 4th with 8 first place votes (versus 555 for Braun).
In 2008, Young started 157 games in center field. He finished the year with 85 runs
, 85 RBIs, and led the Arizona Diamondbacks
with 14 stolen bases. His batting average
improved to .248, but he hit fewer home runs, ending the year with 22.
In 2009, Young had a .212 batting average, the lowest in the NL of all players with at least 350 plate appearances. On August 10, 2009, he was demoted to the DiamondBacks's AAA farm club, the Reno Aces
. Prospect infielder Rusty Ryal
took his spot on the DBacks roster. This was Young's first time being demoted to the minor leagues since entering the major leagues in 2007. When was called back up had a slight resurgence hitting 8 more home runs, for a season total of 15, including 3 solo home runs in a loss to the Rockies.
On April 11, 2010, Young was responsible for 4 RBIs in the Diamondbacks franchise record for runs scored in one inning with 13 runs. Young was also elected as a reserve in his first Major League Baseball All-Star game. On July 9, Young participated in the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby. He only hit 1 home run and he was out in the first round. In 2010, he tied for the NL lead in errors by an outfielder, with 7.
On August 11, 2011, Young belted a 3-run homer in the bottom of the tenth against the Houston Astros
to give the Diamondbacks an 8–5 win and move them a full game in front of the San Francisco Giants
in the NL West. The homer came one inning after rookie Paul Goldschmidt
hit a game-tying bomb of his own.
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
) is a center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. In , he became the first rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
in Major League history to hit 30 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and steal
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
25 bases.
Early life
Young began his baseball career at St. Thomas More elementary/middle school before moving on, and graduating from national powerhouse Bellaire High SchoolBellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas)
Bellaire High School is a secondary school of the Houston Independent School District, and its campus is located in Bellaire, Texas ....
. He broke his arm in the state playoffs during his senior year attempting to catch a fly ball hit by Elkins High School's Chad Huffman
Chad Huffman
Chad Daniel Huffman is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Cleveland Indians organization. Huffman, who is 6' 1", bats and throws right-handed.-Career:...
(currently an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
organization).
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in the 16th round of the MLB Draft
MLB Draft
The First-Year Player Draft, also known as the Rule 4 Draft, is Major League Baseball's primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players, from high schools, colleges, and other amateur baseball clubs, to its teams. The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings, with...
, Young was traded to the Diamondbacks with Orlando Hernández
Orlando Hernández
Orlando Hernández Pedroso , nicknamed "El Duque", is a former Cuban right-handed baseball pitcher....
and Luis Vizcaíno
Luis Vizcaíno
Luis Vizcaíno Arias is a Dominican Republic professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians in his career.-Career:Vizcaíno...
for Javier Vázquez
Javier Vázquez
Javier Carlos Vázquez is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Previously, he pitched for the Florida Marlins , Atlanta Braves , Chicago White Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees and Montreal Expos . Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico...
and cash after the season.
Minor leagues
Young began showing his potential quickly in the minor leagues. In , he was an Appalachian LeagueAppalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
All-Star outfielder. In 2005, he was a Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
1st team Minor League All-Star outfielder and the Chicago White Sox Minor League Player of the Year. In , he was a Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
All-Star outfielder and Baseball America 2nd team Minor League All-Star outfielder.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Young made his major league debut on August 18, 2006, and began the 2007 season as the Diamondbacks everyday center fielder. On August 17, 2007, against the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Young hit his 23rd home run of the year, setting a Diamondbacks rookie record. He also became the 8th rookie to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases.
For the season, his 27 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s led all NL
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
rookies (13th in the NL overall), and his 32 home runs were enough for 2nd among NL rookies (behind Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
, and tied for 10th overall). Among other accomplishments, Young finished 2nd among NL rookies in extra base hits (64) and at bats (569), 3rd in runs (85), and 5th in runs batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(68). He also batted .237 with a .295 on-base percentage, and led NL rookies by striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
141 times.
Young was a unanimous selection to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team
Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters
This is a year-by-year list of the Topps All-Star Rookie teams. Note that players selected for a particular team appear in the following year's set release...
as a result of the 49th annual Topps balloting of Major League managers. He finished fourth (10 points) in the vote for the 2007 NL Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award was established in 1946 by The Sporting News .*In 1947-48, and again in 1950, a single award was given for all of Major League Baseball....
by 488 major league players and 30 managers, losing to Braun (128 points). He also lost out to Braun in the competition for the 2007 Baseball America Rookie of the Year
Baseball America Rookie of the Year
The Baseball America Rookie of the Year is an annual award granted by Baseball America to the best rookie in the major leagues.-Awardees:-See also:*Baseball America #Baseball America All-Rookie Team*Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award...
Award, and in the Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus is an organization that publishes a website, BaseballProspectus.com, devoted to the sabermetric analysis of baseball. BP has a staff of regular columnists and provides advanced statistics as well player and team performance projections on the site...
2007 Internet Baseball NL Rookie of the Year Award, in which he came in 4th with 8 first place votes (versus 555 for Braun).
In 2008, Young started 157 games in center field. He finished the year with 85 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 85 RBIs, and led the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
with 14 stolen bases. His batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
improved to .248, but he hit fewer home runs, ending the year with 22.
In 2009, Young had a .212 batting average, the lowest in the NL of all players with at least 350 plate appearances. On August 10, 2009, he was demoted to the DiamondBacks's AAA farm club, the Reno Aces
Reno Aces
The Reno Aces are a minor league baseball franchise based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. The team is a member of the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks....
. Prospect infielder Rusty Ryal
Rusty Ryal
Rusty Allen Ryal is an American professional baseball infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. He was picked by the Diamondbacks in the 14th round of the 2005 MLB Draft, Ryal played baseball at Oklahoma State University...
took his spot on the DBacks roster. This was Young's first time being demoted to the minor leagues since entering the major leagues in 2007. When was called back up had a slight resurgence hitting 8 more home runs, for a season total of 15, including 3 solo home runs in a loss to the Rockies.
On April 11, 2010, Young was responsible for 4 RBIs in the Diamondbacks franchise record for runs scored in one inning with 13 runs. Young was also elected as a reserve in his first Major League Baseball All-Star game. On July 9, Young participated in the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby. He only hit 1 home run and he was out in the first round. In 2010, he tied for the NL lead in errors by an outfielder, with 7.
On August 11, 2011, Young belted a 3-run homer in the bottom of the tenth against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
to give the Diamondbacks an 8–5 win and move them a full game in front of the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the NL West. The homer came one inning after rookie Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Edward Goldschmidt is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Baseball career:Goldschmidt was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, out of the Texas State University.He was the California League MVP and...
hit a game-tying bomb of his own.
Awards
- 2003 – Appalachian League All-Star OF
- 2005 – Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
1st team Minor League All-Star OF - 2005 – Chicago White Sox Minor League Player of the Year
- 2006 – Triple-A All-Star OF
- 2006 – Baseball America 2nd team Minor League All-Star OF
- 2007 – BETBetBet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year - 2007 – DIAMONDBACKS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- 2010 – DIAMONDBACKS MVP AWARD