WBN’s International Player of the Week is Doosan Bears left fielder and first baseman Jared Young in the Korea Baseball Organization. Young had an incredible day against the Kia Tigers, going 5-for-6 with two home runs, eight RBI, and two walks on July 31 at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju.
Young hit his first home run against Kia Tigers starting pitcher Hyeon-do Kim in the third inning and his second one against relief pitcher Young-jun Lee in the sixth inning. He also had an RBI Double and single.
Young had a record-breaking day with eight RBI, which tied a record for foreign players in the KBO.
The Canadian Young did this in his second game with the Kia Tigers and was signed by them on July 23. Young was released by the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds. In 235 at-bats for the Redbirds this season, Young had 11 home runs, 35 RBI, and a slash line of .285/.411/.506.
The Chicago Cubs drafted Young in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Young played in 22 MLB games for the Cubs, making his debut in 2016. In 62 MLB at-bats, Young had two home runs, eight RBI, and three stolen bases. The Cubs released Young after the 2023 season, and the Cardinals signed him to an MiLB deal.
Young has played internationally with Tigres del Licey in LIDOM in the winter of 2021 and for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic in 2023. Young had one home run and two RBI in the 2023 WBC. Canada went 2-2 and was eliminated in Pool D at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Young looks to have found a home with the Bears and will look to help them solidify their playoff push. At 54-50, the Bears are currently in fourth place, with five teams making the playoffs.
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WBN KBO: https://worldbaseball.com/league/south-korea/
Photo Credit: Jared Young #74 of the Chicago Cubs in action against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on September 16, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
