Cole Young

Fan & Media Sentiment

Cole Young is riding a genuine wave of positive momentum heading into the heart of the 2026 regular season, with sentiment settling at a well-earned B+ that reflects real optimism rather than hype chasing. The driving force behind the buzz is his defensive reputation, which has reached a remarkable threshold — at least one prominent metric has rated him as the best defender in all of baseball, and that kind of recognition at 22 years old, in just his second season, gives beat writers a compelling story to build around. Crucially, that sentiment grade is not outpacing reality — his performance grade matches it at B+, meaning the narrative and the production are aligned, a rare and healthy sign for a player at this career stage. The emerging storyline around his offensive contributions is what's pushing the discourse beyond "elite glove, question mark bat" territory, with coverage increasingly framing him as a legitimate two-way threat and Seattle's long-term answer at second base. Recent roster activity around Young — including the additions of Brendan Donovan and Will Wilson at third base — suggests the Mariners are actively maneuvering around their infield rather than away from it, which keeps Young's role stable and his narrative intact. It's also worth noting that sentiment has cooled slightly over the last 30 days, sliding from A to B+, which likely reflects the Mariners' middling 18-20 record more than anything Young has done personally. Right now, the narrative sits in an ideal spot for a young player: credible defensive excellence as the foundation, offensive upside as the ceiling, and a fanbase hungry for a homegrown answer — Young checks all three boxes.