Last year, Jared Young (30, New York Mets), who had a short but impactful performance with the Doosan Bears in the KBO League, reported his first home run since returning to Major League Baseball.

On the 28th (Korea time), Young started as the sixth designated hitter in the home game against the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field in Flushing, New York, where he batted 3 times, made 2 hits, and 2 RBIs, contributing to the Mets’ 6-4 victory.

With the game tied 2-2, Young hit a home run from his first at-bat in the first inning. After choosing a ball from White Sox right-handed starter Jonathan Cannon’s first pitch, he pulled a cutter at 89.8 miles per hour (144.5 km/h) that came inside, sending it over the right fence.

The two-run home run traveled at 97.6 miles per hour (157.1 km/h) with an angle of 31 degrees, covering a distance of 367 feet (111.9 m). This marked his first home run in the major leagues in 613 days since September 23, 2023, when he was with the Chicago Cubs playing against the Colorado Rockies.

In his second at-bat in the third inning, Young pulled Cannon's first pitch changeup from first base with no outs to hit a double that split the right-center field. This double laid the groundwork for additional scoring, marking his multi-hit game with two extra-base hits in just two at-bats.

According to local media, including the New York Post, Young said, "It was really a great night. The team won all four games I played. When I get called up, I want to show my presence, and I'm happy to contribute to the victory."

He added, "It feels like it's been a long time since I hit a home run in the major leagues. There’s no better place than the major leagues. I’m glad to be back," and noted, "To succeed here, I have to play at my best. I want to become a difficult batter with good hitting. The Mets are a winning team and are composed of great players from top to bottom. I joined a good team, and I feel like this is where I belong. I want to continue this good momentum."

Carlos Mendoza, the Mets manager, praised, "Young showed professional hitting. He controlled the strike zone well and had two really good swings. He struggled a lot in the minor leagues and overseas but has seized his opportunity in the major leagues and is utilizing it well. I'm glad to see him produce results."

Young, a right-handed, left-handed 1st baseman and corner outfield resource from Canada, came to South Korea last July. He signed with Doosan as a replacement foreign hitter for $300,000, and played impressively in the KBO League with a batting average of .326 (47 hits in 144 at-bats), 10 home runs, 39 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.080 in 38 games without any adaptation period.

Naturally, he was a candidate for re-signing with Doosan, but negotiations broke down due to high salary demands. Although he turned in good performance, it was difficult for Doosan to guarantee a high salary of over $1 million based on just 38 games as a small sample. Meanwhile, Jake Cave, who played as a full-time major leaguer last year, entered the market. Doosan decided to forgo re-signing Young and signed Cave for the new foreign player cap of $1 million in the KBO.

There was a reason Young gambled on re-signing with Doosan. After negotiations with Doosan fell through, he signed a split contract with the Mets. Depending on whether he played full-time in the major leagues, he would earn $1.15 million, or $425,000 if he only stayed in the minor leagues, making it onto the 40-man roster. Pete Alonso, the power-hitting 1st baseman initially thought to be leaving the Mets, shocked Young by staying on a two-year, $54 million deal.

He began the season at Triple-A Syracuse without achieving notable results in spring training. However, on the 25th, as outfielder José Azócar was designated for assignment (DFA), an opportunity arose for Young. He was called up alongside left-handed pitcher Brandon Waddell, with whom he had played last year on Doosan, and since then has started as a designated hitter in all four games. Despite going hitless in his first three games with 5 at-bats, he showcased his presence with a home run and a double in the fourth game.

However, on the 29th against the White Sox, after being excluded from the starting lineup, he came on as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning with one out and one runner on base but struck out on three pitches against Mike Vasquez, which was disappointing. While playing left field, he faced Vasquez again in his second at-bat in the eighth inning with two outs and a runner on second, but struck out again on three pitches, bowing his head as he swung and missed at a high fastball and a low curve.

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