November 1, 2026 — EVERETT, Wash.: Everett AquaSox alum and current Seattle Mariners infielder Cole Young was named the recipient of the 2026 Rawlings American League Gold Glove Award at second base today by the Rawlings Sporting Goods Company and Major League Baseball.
Young, a 23-year-old native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a first-time Gold Glove winner. He achieved the honor after leading all American League second basemen in games played (157), innings (1,350.1), putouts (223), assists (397), and defensive runs saved (16). He also tied for first in fielding percentage (.990).
The lefty-hitting, righty-throwing infielder is the Mariners’ first Gold Glove winner at second base since Bret Boone won the award three consecutive times from 2002-04. Playing in just his second major league season, Young is the first Mariners infielder to be recognized with a Gold Glove since former Frog J.P. Crawford brought home the award at shortstop in 2020. Additionally, he is Seattle’s first Gold Glove winner since 2024, when AquaSox alumni Cal Raleigh and Dylan Moore brought home the golden leather at catcher and utility, respectively.
In total, Young is the 18th Mariners player to win a Gold Glove. He is just the third Mariners second baseman to win the award — joining Boone and Harold Reynolds (3x, 1988-90) — and his .990 fielding percentage was the third-highest by any Mariners second baseman in franchise history, trailing only former Frog Robinson Canó (.996 in 2016, .991 in 2015).
Overall, Young had a breakout season with the Mariners in 2026. Along with showing impressive defensive prowess, the former top Mariners prospect hit .246, scoring 76 runs while racking up 19 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, 66 RBIs, and a .694 OPS — all career-best totals — in 160 games played.
Originally drafted by the Mariners in the first round (No. 21 overall) of the 2022 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pennsylvania, Young played for the AquaSox in 2023. During his AquaSox tenure in 2023, he led the team to a berth in the 2023 Northwest League Championship, hitting .292 with 14 doubles, six home runs, and 23 RBIs in 48 games.
* Statistics sourced with the help of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Communications Department and Major League Baseball.
PICTURED ABOVE: Cole Young
PHOTO BY: Landon Welter
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