At this point in the Washington Nationals rebuild, they need to identify the team’s core. One player they believe will be part of it is Jacob Young. On Friday morning, the Nationals inked Young to a four-year, $23 million extension. That averages out to $5.75 million per year. The deal also includes a fifth-year option worth $8 million. This extension buys out the three seasons of arbitration, as well as potentially the first two seasons Young could have become a free agent.
This is a smart deal for both sides. Given Young’s profile, he likely wouldn’t have seen that salary until the second or third year of arbitration. There’s also the possibility he never gets a long-term extension on the open market, given his career numbers to date. For the Nationals, this is a young player they got on a relatively cheap deal. They no longer have to worry about center field because it is locked down for the next few seasons. He is also someone that the Nationals can build around. But what value does Young give to the Nationals?
How Jared Young Fits the Nationals Core
Throughout his career, Young has been seen as one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball. According to Baseball Savant, he registered an 11 Outs Above Average, which ranked in the 96th percentile. While this is a bit of a step back from what his numbers were in 2025 and 2026, it is still very impressive. Combined over the last three seasons, his Outs Above Average ranks second among outfielders and fourth in MLB. This is exactly the type of defender you want in center field.
A large reason for Young success in the outfield is his speed. Last season, he had a sprint speed of 29.7 mph, which ranked in the 97th percentile. This allows him to run down balls that most outfielders would let fall for hits. It also makes him a threat on the base paths. He swiped 18 bases last season on 22 attempts. In 2024, he stole a career-high 33 bags, tied for 11th in the majors. This will give the Nationals a huge advantage over their opponents. Having a speedster will create more scoring chances for the Nationals.
While his bat has never been much to write home about, he is coming off his best season in the majors at the plate. In 140 games, he slashed .252/.318/.390 with 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 98. Sure, these are not the best numbers, but you happily take them, considering everything Young brings to the table. He is the perfect player to bat ninth and serve as that “extra” leadoff hitter. If he gets on base, the big hitters at the top of the order will have no problem driving him in.
He may not be the face of the Nationals, but locking up Young is a smart move for the organization. It gives them a speedy defensive first player who can be a nice supporting piece on their roster.
