Did anyone know about this? I don't really follow MLB.
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/...d=1314092&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
2/17/2006 5:32 PM ET
Heightened expectations for Young
Lanky two-sport star aims to make foes jump through hoops
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
PEORIA, Ariz. -- At 6-foot-10, Chris Young has serious upside. "He's a tremendous athlete -- we've only seen the tip of the iceberg," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said of his new right-handed starter, courtesy of Texas. "Last year was his breakout year. He's had some success at the big-league level now -- and he's going to get better."
It figures that a guy named Towers would admire a high-rise like Young.
But Towers isn't blowing smoke or exaggerating the word "athlete." As recently as 2004, Young, 26, pondered a guaranteed contract offer from the Sacramento Kings before electing to stick with pitching for the Texas Rangers.
He could be sharing the high post with Brad Miller right now, threading passes to Mike Bibby and Ron Artest in the fashion of former King Vlade Divac.
Instead, he's gearing up for his National League debut as the tallest Padre in franchise history, coming off a solid 12-7 rookie season with the Rangers.
"I'm living out a dream now," Young said, acknowledging that PETCO Park's vast outfield expanse will be welcomed after Texas' cozy dimensions.
"It's a pitcher-friendly park, but I'm not going to worry about where I'm pitching. I'm just looking to improve on my season last year. I'm excited to be here with a great organization. I've had great first impressions. I'm just excited for the season to get started."
Unlike Randy Johnson, who graciously counseled Young on the trials and tribulations of pitching from a high altitude last season, the man from Dallas doesn't overpower hitters with blinding speed.
He revs up to 92-93 mph when he's locked in, but he's a well-rounded artist with a curveball and changeup he commands along with the heater.
"History has shown that taller pitchers take longer to develop," said Padres manager Bruce Bochy, who recalls the intimidating presence of 6-foot-8 flame-thrower James Rodney Richard from their days in Houston.
"I remember watching J.R. in A ball, and he was throwing balls to the backstop. I said to myself, `I'd have never gotten in to hit this guy.'
"When it all came together, he was a pretty polished pitcher. Bigger power arms are hard to give up on. They've got more working parts, and it takes a little longer with their delivery.
"Chris is coming off a good year; he did a terrific job for them. His velocity and command improved."
Young came to San Diego from Texas in the six-player swap in December that made Rangers of pitchers Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka. The Padres also claimed their first baseman of the future, Adrian Gonzalez, and an outfielder, Terrmel Sledge, both with the ability to play regularly.
If a little patience is in order for Gonzalez and Sledge, immediate dividends are expected from Young, who had a 4.26 ERA in 31 starts in '05, convincing Towers he has just begun to crack the surface of his capabilities.
The Rangers and Padres had long, extensive talks with the Rangers about Eaton and Otsuka before Young's name finally surfaced, and that was the clincher.
"I didn't think he'd be available based on the year he had," Towers said. "They said, `As part of this deal, would you have interest in Young?' And I kinda said, `Well, yeah, that might work.'"
After growing up in Dallas, Young starred at Princeton in basketball before signing with Pittsburgh as a third-round choice in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, right before his junior year.
He was dealt to Montreal in 2002 and to Texas on the eve of the '04 season, debuting with a 3-2 record and 4.71 ERA in seven starts for the Rangers.
Giving up hoops wasn't easy. The Kings' desire to sign him to replace Divac establishes his quality on the hardwood.
"The Ivy League is the only conference with the archaic rule that you can no longer compete in a sport if you sign professionally in another sport," Young said. "I could have transferred, but I was two years into Princeton, studying politics, and couldn't see leaving.
"It was a tough decision. I always loved both sports. I was a huge Mavericks fan -- still am -- and I grew up a Rangers fan idolizing Nolan Ryan as a kid. When I had to make a decision to choose baseball or play out my basketball career and get an NBA contract, I went with baseball for several reasons, such as lifestyle, longevity.
"You can play this game a long time. Look at Trevor Hoffman, for example, still having great seasons. If you can stay healthy, you can have some longevity. Injuries happen, obviously, but I think baseball was right for me."
Citing Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez and Johnson as pitchers flourishing late in their careers, Young said he learned a great deal from the Big Unit in a 45-minute conversation at Yankee Stadium last season.
"Randy talked about a lot of things he'd wished he'd known earlier in his career -- balance drills, general issues," Young said. "He was awesome. We have different styles; I'm more over the top, and he's down here. But it was very helpful."
Young's rookie season in Texas featured five fine months and one miserable one. July was the cruelest month. In five starts, he lost his way and was 0-2 with a 10.18 ERA.
"I thought [2005] was a great season overall," he said. "I had that one rough month. Take out July, and my numbers were very good. Hopefully, I'll piece together a full, complete season."
Young anticipates a professional growth spurt for several reasons.
"I was a two-sport athlete all my life and haven't had a lot of experience," he said. "I'm a tall pitcher, and it takes time. By no means have I reached my full potential, and I'm excited about the future.
"When everything's in sync and moving the right way, it's a big advantage being tall. It's a different look for the hitters; guys don't see a guy my size every day. The disadvantage is, if one part is out of sync, it's more difficult to work it out."
Referring to Young's "long levers" and long stride, Towers said hitters must feel as if Young is on top of them when he delivers.
"His command, the way he pitches with his fastball, that's his best strength," Towers said. "He locates, works both sides of the plate. I wouldn't be surprised if his velocity continues to pick up as he gets more confident."
Towers, a talented pitcher in his own time before arm problems put him in civvies as a scout, thinks he's landed a true gem.
"He has tremendous aptitude and is a great character guy from everything I've gathered," Towers said. "I have not heard a negative thing about him from anybody."
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/...d=1314092&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
2/17/2006 5:32 PM ET
Heightened expectations for Young
Lanky two-sport star aims to make foes jump through hoops
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
PEORIA, Ariz. -- At 6-foot-10, Chris Young has serious upside. "He's a tremendous athlete -- we've only seen the tip of the iceberg," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said of his new right-handed starter, courtesy of Texas. "Last year was his breakout year. He's had some success at the big-league level now -- and he's going to get better."
It figures that a guy named Towers would admire a high-rise like Young.
But Towers isn't blowing smoke or exaggerating the word "athlete." As recently as 2004, Young, 26, pondered a guaranteed contract offer from the Sacramento Kings before electing to stick with pitching for the Texas Rangers.
He could be sharing the high post with Brad Miller right now, threading passes to Mike Bibby and Ron Artest in the fashion of former King Vlade Divac.
Instead, he's gearing up for his National League debut as the tallest Padre in franchise history, coming off a solid 12-7 rookie season with the Rangers.
"I'm living out a dream now," Young said, acknowledging that PETCO Park's vast outfield expanse will be welcomed after Texas' cozy dimensions.
"It's a pitcher-friendly park, but I'm not going to worry about where I'm pitching. I'm just looking to improve on my season last year. I'm excited to be here with a great organization. I've had great first impressions. I'm just excited for the season to get started."
Unlike Randy Johnson, who graciously counseled Young on the trials and tribulations of pitching from a high altitude last season, the man from Dallas doesn't overpower hitters with blinding speed.
He revs up to 92-93 mph when he's locked in, but he's a well-rounded artist with a curveball and changeup he commands along with the heater.
"History has shown that taller pitchers take longer to develop," said Padres manager Bruce Bochy, who recalls the intimidating presence of 6-foot-8 flame-thrower James Rodney Richard from their days in Houston.
"I remember watching J.R. in A ball, and he was throwing balls to the backstop. I said to myself, `I'd have never gotten in to hit this guy.'
"When it all came together, he was a pretty polished pitcher. Bigger power arms are hard to give up on. They've got more working parts, and it takes a little longer with their delivery.
"Chris is coming off a good year; he did a terrific job for them. His velocity and command improved."
Young came to San Diego from Texas in the six-player swap in December that made Rangers of pitchers Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka. The Padres also claimed their first baseman of the future, Adrian Gonzalez, and an outfielder, Terrmel Sledge, both with the ability to play regularly.
If a little patience is in order for Gonzalez and Sledge, immediate dividends are expected from Young, who had a 4.26 ERA in 31 starts in '05, convincing Towers he has just begun to crack the surface of his capabilities.
The Rangers and Padres had long, extensive talks with the Rangers about Eaton and Otsuka before Young's name finally surfaced, and that was the clincher.
"I didn't think he'd be available based on the year he had," Towers said. "They said, `As part of this deal, would you have interest in Young?' And I kinda said, `Well, yeah, that might work.'"
After growing up in Dallas, Young starred at Princeton in basketball before signing with Pittsburgh as a third-round choice in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, right before his junior year.
He was dealt to Montreal in 2002 and to Texas on the eve of the '04 season, debuting with a 3-2 record and 4.71 ERA in seven starts for the Rangers.
Giving up hoops wasn't easy. The Kings' desire to sign him to replace Divac establishes his quality on the hardwood.
"The Ivy League is the only conference with the archaic rule that you can no longer compete in a sport if you sign professionally in another sport," Young said. "I could have transferred, but I was two years into Princeton, studying politics, and couldn't see leaving.
"It was a tough decision. I always loved both sports. I was a huge Mavericks fan -- still am -- and I grew up a Rangers fan idolizing Nolan Ryan as a kid. When I had to make a decision to choose baseball or play out my basketball career and get an NBA contract, I went with baseball for several reasons, such as lifestyle, longevity.
"You can play this game a long time. Look at Trevor Hoffman, for example, still having great seasons. If you can stay healthy, you can have some longevity. Injuries happen, obviously, but I think baseball was right for me."
Citing Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez and Johnson as pitchers flourishing late in their careers, Young said he learned a great deal from the Big Unit in a 45-minute conversation at Yankee Stadium last season.
"Randy talked about a lot of things he'd wished he'd known earlier in his career -- balance drills, general issues," Young said. "He was awesome. We have different styles; I'm more over the top, and he's down here. But it was very helpful."
Young's rookie season in Texas featured five fine months and one miserable one. July was the cruelest month. In five starts, he lost his way and was 0-2 with a 10.18 ERA.
"I thought [2005] was a great season overall," he said. "I had that one rough month. Take out July, and my numbers were very good. Hopefully, I'll piece together a full, complete season."
Young anticipates a professional growth spurt for several reasons.
"I was a two-sport athlete all my life and haven't had a lot of experience," he said. "I'm a tall pitcher, and it takes time. By no means have I reached my full potential, and I'm excited about the future.
"When everything's in sync and moving the right way, it's a big advantage being tall. It's a different look for the hitters; guys don't see a guy my size every day. The disadvantage is, if one part is out of sync, it's more difficult to work it out."
Referring to Young's "long levers" and long stride, Towers said hitters must feel as if Young is on top of them when he delivers.
"His command, the way he pitches with his fastball, that's his best strength," Towers said. "He locates, works both sides of the plate. I wouldn't be surprised if his velocity continues to pick up as he gets more confident."
Towers, a talented pitcher in his own time before arm problems put him in civvies as a scout, thinks he's landed a true gem.
"He has tremendous aptitude and is a great character guy from everything I've gathered," Towers said. "I have not heard a negative thing about him from anybody."
