Delwyn Young: The Successor | Dodger Daydreams

This is from my other blog at http://dodgersblog.mlblogs.com:

The Los Angeles Dodgers had Delwyn Young in their starting line-up today against the Cleveland Indians. The slugger struck out three times and left a total of five men on-base. However, Delwyn Young is the future of the Dodgers organization.

Young was drafted in the fourth-round of the 2002 MLB Draft. Rounds earlier, the Dodgers drafted James Loney and passed up Matt Cain, Jon Lester, Micah Owings and Jeff Francoeur. Los Angeles was determined to select Delwyn Young, a second-baseman from Santa Barbara City College.

It is probable that the Dodgers' scouts found Young's versatility in the field appealing. Also, they believed that Young had the potential to become a phenomenal hitter with the ability to knock in runs during a pinch-hit situation. Since then, Young has met their early expectations.

In sixty-two at-bats during the 2008 Regular Season, Young has achieved a .306 batting-average. But, he has not yet established himself as a slugger with modest homerun power. However, as the Dodgers gradually push him into their starting line-up, he will begin feeling comfortable and start swinging for the fences.

In his past ten at-bats, Young has made contact for a wonderful .400 batting-average. However, Los Angeles does not want him to swing in the starting line-up on a daily basis. The organization does not want to rush the process of preparing him for a starting-job in the future.

Jeff Kent is forty-years old and will probably retire at the close of the 2008 Regular Season. Although he has been quite productive thus far, baseball has taken a definite toll on his body. The second-baseman no longer has the same range in the field and is prone to mid-season slumps.

It initially looked as if Chin-Lung Hu could be the future of the Dodgers at second-base. But with his recent slump, the Dodgers may hand over second-base to Delwyn Young. It would be the best move for the organization and their future.

Chin-Lung Hu started off the 2008 Regular Season hot, but was sent down to the Minor Leagues after his batting-average dropped to .159. Although he had a sensational glove, his hitting was below-par. Thus, Delwyn Young is the best candidate to succeed Jeff Kent at second-base.

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