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Chris Young posted a 3.30 ERA over 61 starts with the San Diego Padres in 2006 and 2007, and he was a National League All-Star in 2007. Since then injuries, most notably shoulder and bicep issues that cost him big chunks of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, have derailed his career and he made just 60 major league starts from 2008-2013.
The Seattle Mariners signed Young to a one-year deal in March, and after allowing just one run on three hits over eight innings to the Kansas City Royals on Saturday he has a 2.63 ERA in seven appearances (six starts) this season. Over his last three starts Young is 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA while allowing just nine hits in 19.2 innings.
Should fantasy baseball owners look to add the 6’10″ right-hander?
Young’s peripheral numbers so far this season are not great, with 18 strikeouts (4.3 K/9 rate), 16 walks (3.8 BB/9 rate) and a .179 BABIP which screams that regression is coming. But he has improved his control over his last three starts, with just five walks total, and leaving aside his five-walk outing against the Houston Astros on April 23 Young has issued three walks or fewer in each of his other five starts.
Young has a favorable-looking situation coming in his next start, against a Minnesota Twins’ lineup that has struggled to score runs lately. So he looks like a solid choice in daily leagues, and those that seek a low-cost option can do worse.
Young will have to continue to pitch well, and more importantly stay healthy, before he is worth adding in mixed leagues. But he is worth adding and stashing in AL-only leagues right now, with an eye toward using him when he has a favorable matchup.
Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
