Spring Training is a time for new beginnings, and few players are looking forward to a fresh start more than Nick Madrigal. Once a highly touted prospect, Madrigal has endured a series of injuries that have derailed his momentum at every turn. Now, with a chance to make the New York Mets' Opening Day roster, he’s determined to prove he still belongs among baseball’s elite.
A first-round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox in 2018, Madrigal was known for his elite contact skills, a rarity in today’s game dominated by power hitters. He quickly climbed the minor league ranks, making his MLB debut in 2020. However, a series of setbacks—including a shoulder injury, a torn hamstring, and a fractured hand—have kept him from fully establishing himself at the major league level. Despite these challenges, Madrigal remains optimistic.
“Obviously, it’s been frustrating at times,” Madrigal admitted. “I still think I can play this game with the best of my abilities. There’s been some tough luck with injuries, but I have faith that it’s all going to work out. I’ve done a lot of work on my body, training differently, focusing on maintenance. I just have to lean on my faith and believe there are better days ahead.”
Madrigal’s calling card has always been his ability to put the ball in play. In an era where strikeouts are at an all-time high, his skillset remains valuable. However, extended absences have made it difficult for him to find a consistent rhythm at the plate.
“The game of baseball is already hard enough,” he said. “I’ve always been at my best when I’m getting regular at-bats, getting into a rhythm. That’s true for most hitters. I still believe my strength is hitting, and I know I can contribute offensively.”
Beyond his bat, Madrigal’s versatility could play a key role in his ability to crack the Mets’ roster. Originally a second baseman, he’s expanded his defensive capabilities, even seeing time at third base with the Cubs. With the Mets looking for depth and flexibility in the infield, his ability to move around the diamond could be a deciding factor in his roster battle.
“I’m going to do anything I can to help this team, whether that’s playing in the infield or even the outfield,” Madrigal said. “I feel comfortable at multiple positions. The key for me is to just play my game and not try to do too much. They have a great team here already, and I want to complement that.”
Madrigal is no stranger to playing in a major market, having spent time in both Chicago and now New York. While he acknowledges the pressure that comes with playing in the biggest baseball city in the world, he embraces the challenge.
“I know the fans are passionate here. That’s what you want as a player. I want to be part of that energy, part of a winning team. That’s what this clubhouse wants too,” he said. “This is where I want to be.”
For Madrigal, spring training represents more than just a shot at a roster spot—it’s an opportunity to rewrite his story. If he stays healthy and showcases the skillset that once made him a top prospect, he could carve out a valuable role on a Mets team with postseason aspirations. With renewed focus and a positive outlook, he’s ready to take the next step in his career.
When the Mets signed Jared Young to a major league deal this past offseason, it didn’t exactly send shockwaves through the baseball world. No ticker tape parades, no front-page headlines, not even a free sandwich at Katz’s Deli. But for Young, a 28-year-old Canadian utility player with a passport full of baseball stamps, it was another chance to prove he belongs in The Show.
Young’s journey to Queens has been a long and winding road—one that included a stint in the KBO with the Doosan Bears, where he mashed baseballs like they owed him money, and a couple of pit stops in Chicago with the Cubs. Drafted in the 15th round back in 2017, he was once the Cubs’ Minor League Player of the Year, which is a nice thing to put on a résumé, but doesn’t guarantee you a permanent locker in a big-league clubhouse.
So what’s he hoping to showcase in Mets camp? “I think it’s going to be a combo of everything,” Young told me. “If you go out there and play your game, your bat's hot, you play defense, show you can play multiple spots, and run a little bit, I think it’s a useful spot to be in.”
Translation: He’s aiming to be the Swiss Army knife in a toolbox currently dominated by Pete Alonso’s sledgehammer of a bat. Alonso has been an ironman at first base, playing just about every game, which means Young’s role, should he crack the roster, will likely be that of a utility guy who can spell Pete once in a blue moon, pinch-hit, and fill in wherever needed.
When Young arrived at camp, Alonso’s future with the team was still up in the air. Did he see it as a golden opportunity to stake his claim? “Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about that too much,” he said. “I got here early and I was kind of like, you know what? We're just going to get to work. We're going to put my best foot forward and kind of show everything that I'm about.”
That attitude has served him well throughout his career. From small-town Prince George, British Columbia, to college stops at Minot State, Connors State, and Old Dominion, to the minors, the majors, and even Korea, Young has learned to adapt and keep grinding. “The more baseball you play and the more sports you play, you get used to being a little bit uncomfortable,” he said. “I think it can only help you in situations like this.”
The Mets’ front office clearly sees something in him. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has a reputation for finding hidden gems overseas (see: Eric Thames), and Young’s KBO numbers—.326 average, 10 homers, 39 RBIs in just 38 games—suggest he could be the latest in that trend. “Having a team that's very interested in you is always something you want to keep in mind,” Young said. “Going somewhere you're wanted, and that's how it felt here.”
As for his early impressions of the Mets' clubhouse? “It's very open and very friendly,” he said. “I feel like you can go up to any guy in this room and have a good conversation with them, and everyone's willing to talk to each other and get to know each other.” That might be Mets-speak for “Francisco Lindor already has a nickname for me,” but the camaraderie certainly helps when you’re trying to carve out a role on a new team.
And because Young is Canadian, we had to talk hockey. Growing up in British Columbia, he was a die-hard Canucks fan, with former captain Markus Naslund as his favorite player. “Being down here the last few years and going to college here, I guess I've gotten away from it a little bit,” he admitted. “But every time I go home, we always watch a lot of hockey, and it's great.”
With spring training underway, Young has his work cut out for him. He’ll have to prove he can hit big-league pitching consistently, provide defensive versatility, and convince the Mets he’s worth keeping around. If he does, he could carve out a niche for himself. If not, well, there’s always the KBO waiting with open arms. But something tells me Young isn’t quite ready to pack his bags again just yet.
As Mets manager Carlos Mendoza evaluates his roster options for the upcoming season, he emphasized the importance of both Jared Young and Nick Madrigal showcasing their versatility in spring training. When asked what he needs to see out of Madrigal in camp to secure the utility role, Mendoza highlighted health and defensive adaptability. "He's gotta stay healthy. He's the guy that's had some injuries in the lower half the past couple of years," Mendoza noted. The Mets plan to give Madrigal extensive reps at shortstop to assess his ability there, given his proven experience at second and third base. "We wanna see, because we know he can play second, he can play third, but he hasn't got many reps at shortstop in games," Mendoza explained.
When discussing Madrigal's shortstop work specifically, Mendoza pointed to his ability to handle the baseball cleanly and adjust to the different angles of the position. "One thing he does well is he catches a baseball. And he's used to playing on the left side of the infield, which is a different angle. But as a shortstop, you've got to be able to cut the distance," Mendoza said. He also emphasized the need for Madrigal to refine his ability to read the speed of the runner and the ball, make the longer throw when necessary, and efficiently work through the play. "Knowing the speed of the run and the speed of the ball and how much time you've got and your ability to make that longer throw when you have to go to your backhand and whether you have enough in the tank or just your ability to get rid of the baseball. So those are some of the things that you look for as a shortstop."
For Young, Mendoza pointed to his plate discipline and ability to impact the game offensively, as well as his defensive flexibility. "You know, this is a guy that controls the strike zone. Same thing, there's impact in there. So continue to be himself. He can play first. He can play a little bit in the outfield. Those are some of the things that we'll look for, the versatility."
As spring training unfolds, both Nick Madrigal and Jared Young find themselves at a pivotal moment in their careers. For Madrigal, staying healthy and proving his defensive versatility will be key to securing a spot on the Mets’ roster, while Young’s ability to contribute offensively and play multiple positions could make him a valuable asset. As manager Carlos Mendoza and the Mets’ front office evaluate their options, both players are determined to showcase their skills and earn their place on a team with postseason aspirations. The coming weeks will reveal whether they can turn their fresh opportunities into lasting roles in Queens.
Full Madrigal and Young Interviews:
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