Delwyn Young Stats & Scouting Report

AB	710
AVG	.258
OBP	.317
SLG	.393
HR	17

Full name Delwyn Rudy Young
Born 06/30/1982 in Los Angeles, CA
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 209 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Santa Barbara CC
Debut 09/07/2006
Drafted in the 4th round (121st overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002.

View Draft Report

Switch-hitting 2B/SS Delwyn Young starred for two-time defending state champion Riverside CC as a freshman, then transferred to a more pedestrian program at Santa Barbara CC. He still might be the top juco hitter in the state and was expected to sign with the Braves, who controlled his rights.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Young's father Delwyn Sr. played pro ball and served as a hitting coach in the Mariners system. He taught his son well, as Delwyn Jr. has hit .303 in the minors and hit .382 during a September callup. He was drafted twice by the Braves before signing with the Dodgers. Young has electric bat speed and an above-average feel for hitting. He lets balls travel deep and they jump off his bat. He'll pepper both alleys with line drives from both sides of the plate. He made strides against lefthanders in 2007, improving his average against them in Triple-A to .365, up from .198 the year before. He has average power, coming more in the form of doubles than home runs. A former second baseman, his defense has improved and his arm is solid-average. Minor holes in his stroke and a free-swinging approach ultimately could make Young an extra outfielder. With below-average speed, he lacks the range to play up the middle. Comparisons range from Matt Stairs to Lenny Harris, but the consensus is that Young will hit enough to have a significant major league career. It's likely as a reserve in Los Angeles, but he could carve out an everyday role with a second-division team down the road.
The Braves failed to sign Young as a 19th-round draft-and-follow prior to the 2002 draft, and his stock soared after an impressive predraft workout at Dodger Stadium. He's quietly been one of the minors' most consistent offensive threats, climbing to Triple-A in 2006 and setting career highs in RBIs and doubles, marking his fourth consecutive season with at least 36 doubles. He led Dodgers minor leaguers in extra-base hits. Young's bat speed is among the best in the system. He's an aggressive hitter who looks to pull the ball early in the count and rarely gets cheated at the plate. He has the strength and bat control to pepper line drives to all parts of the park. He has solid-average power. His plate discipline and willingness to walk aren't pluses. His swing gets long, and has more holes from the right side, as he batted .198 against lefthanders in Triple-A last year. He's a below-average runner with below-average range and a plus arm suited for right field. His tools compare favorably to Matt Stairs', and Young will likely hit his way into a lineup as an everyday corner outfielder eventually. But he doesn't appear to be in the Dodgers' immediate outfield plans. Unless he's traded, he'll probably return to Triple-A in 2007.
Young got his first taste of the upper minors in 2005 and did what he always had done in his first three pro seasons--rake. When he reached Triple-A in July, he collected 10 hits in his first 25 at-bats, and he put together a 17-game hitting streak in August. An aggressive hitter from both sides of the plate, Young is up there looking to hack. He hits from an open stance and feasts on fastballs early in counts, lashing line drives to all fields. His swing can get long at times and he needs to improve his plate discipline. Young has hit for power throughout his career and he'd make a good offensive second baseman--if he could play second base. He's slow and heavy-footed, and his hands are shaky. He does have a strong arm, which will serve him well when he makes a necessary move to the outfield. That could come this year in Triple-A, because the Dodgers already have Jeff Kent at second base and will use Cesar Izturis there when he returns from Tommy John surgery.
Young validated his status as one of the organization's best hitting prospects with his third straight productive season, leading the Florida State League in extra-base hits (61) and finishing second in homers and third in RBIs and doubles. His 36 doubles broke Henry Rodriguez' Vero Beach club record, which had stood since 1989. Young's hit and power tools grade out as above-average. An aggressive, confident switch-hitter, he has good bat speed and rarely gets cheated at the plate. His swing gets long at times, leading to swings-and-misses, but when he centers the ball he generates loft and carry. Young has better bat control from the right side and more power from the left. He is a below-average runner. Scouts doubt he has the range to play second base in the big leagues, but he made strides defensively in 2004. He embraced the instruction of minor league infield coordinator Jerry Royster and assistant field coordinator John Shoemaker, which helped him improve his footwork around the bag. He still allows ground balls to get too deep, though he has a solid arm. Young will join Joel Guzman up the middle in Double-A this year and could end up at a corner outfield spot down the line.
The Braves failed to sign Young as a 29th-round draft-and-follow before the 2002 draft, and his stock soared after an impressive predraft workout at Dodger Stadium with GM Dan Evans looking on. He has had no problem making the transition to wood bats, leading the South Atlantic League in extra-base hits (60) and slugging percentage last season. He worked hard to shorten his swing and became more compact and direct to the ball in 2003. Young might have the best bat speed in the organization. He's an aggressive hitter who shows the ability to crush the ball to all fields from both sides of the plate. Strong and stocky at 5-foot-10, Young lacks quickness at second base and might eventually have to move to third base or left field. He has an above-average arm, but the Dodgers would like to see him take his defense more seriously. Young's advanced hitting approach could help him skip high Class A and start 2004 in Double-A. His presence enabled the Dodgers to include second-base prospect Victor Diaz in a midseason trade for Jeromy Burnitz.
Selected by the Braves as a 29th-round draft-and-follow in 2001, Young emerged as one of the top junior college hitters in California last spring. He was expected to sign with Atlanta, but negotiations fell through and the Dodgers redrafted him in the fourth round. He intrigued Los Angeles brass with an impressive hitting display during a predraft workout at Dodger Stadium. After finishing among the Pioneer League leaders in doubles, home runs, slugging and extra-base hits, he continued to shine as the most impressive player at the club's winter workouts at Chavez Ravine. Young can put a charge into the ball from both sides of the plate. He showed signs of getting too homer-conscious, getting himself into trouble by trying to lift everything. He has plus arm strength and good hands, but his footwork needs improvement. The Dodgers want him to stay at second base, and that's where he'll play for one of their Class A affiliates this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

Young was the hottest hitter in the FSL in the second half, batting .317 with 12 homers during the final two months. He's an exceptional run produce for his position, though his ability to remain at second base is a question. A free-swinging switch-hitter, Young generates plus power with his wiry speed and impressive bat speed. His aggressive approach results in a lot of strikeouts, but he's patient enough to draw his share of walks. Though Young's speed and agility are below average, he did improve steadily at second base throughout the season. Some observers believe he might be able to stick there, but if he doesn't he should offer enough offense to play on an outfield corner.
Young's breakthrough allowed the Dodgers to deal Victor Diaz, a similar offensive second baseman, to the Mets for Jeromy Burnitz. Both Young and Diaz are below-average defensively but have a knack for putting the barrel on the ball. Young's .542 slugging percentage was the best in the SAL, and he tied for the lead in doubles. "Delwyn is an example to the guys on our bench," Tijerina said. "When you're talking about set-up at the plate and confidence, he's as solid as I've seen at this level. He's extremely balanced, has great plate awareness, good strike-zone judgment and great rhythm. He just puts together good at-bat after good at-bat. "That's the stuff we try to get hitters to start learning. Work the count and stay under control."