Infielder Jared Young has taken a step forward for the New York Mets during key moments. In the eight inning of Wednesday’s series finale against the San Diego Padres, Young lined an RBI single to put his team ahead by three. With his help, the Mets went on to beat the Padres 4–2, marking their 11th win since the August 3 trade deadline.
“I think it’s going to sound cliche but keeping things simple. Doing my work in the cage with the coaches and listening to my teammates,” Young said during a postgame interview.
Jared Young Steps Up
The Mets have had some trouble finding an everyday first baseman. The team used Jorge Polanco and Mark Vientos to fill the role, but both struggled with holding down the spot. Both players also battled injuries, with Polanco being sidelined for much of this season.
The same does not apply to Jared Young, who has been effective and remained on the field. Across 17 appearances in August, he has recorded 18 hits, four doubles, two triples, 11 RBI and a home run. Thus far, he is slashing .321/.361/.518 on a .879 OPS.
Young’s production and output has helped solve some of the Mets’ problems at first base. His numbers this season have been better than Polanco’s, who has 20 hits, six RBI and two home runs in 37 appearances. He has also shown signs of being a better fielder than Vientos, who has struggled on defense in 2026.
Sliver Linings
For now, Jared Young has been the Mets’ most reliable first baseman thanks to him stepping up with two hits and an RBI against the Padres. It came at the same time as rookie outfielder Carson Benge crushing a towering two-run homer in the fourth against the Padres.
“[Benge] is an incredible athlete that loves to play baseball. I played with him last year. You see the same things and the incredible plays, and the swings,” Young added. “The more he plays the better he will get.”
Young rose to the occasion as right-hander Robert Stock tossed 4 1/3 innings with six strikeouts. The relief unit also performed well enough with Nate Lavender, Alex Warren, and Daniel Duarte combining for six strikeouts in three scoreless innings. All three players have surfaced as viable options in similar circumstances to Young.
“Give it a chance. It hasn’t been the year that we’ve all wanted but in that you can find silver linings and players to step up,” Young concluded.
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