Cole Young keeps the Mariners rolling in the leadoff spot while Crawford and Donovan are sidelined

WASHINGTON. Cole Young has not changed his approach since moving into Seattle’s leadoff spot. What has changed is the sense of immediacy. In interviews around the team’s current run of games, Young described how leadoff at-bats come sooner and carry a different pressure, especially when a lineup needs quick chemistry after injuries push out established regulars.

Young’s comments reflect a practical adjustment to the role. He framed it as a competition the moment the game begins, saying the at-bats arrive right away and he has to “compete right out of the gate.” The point is not about altering fundamentals, but about syncing his timing to a higher-velocity pace of decision-making that comes with starting the game offensively rather than hitting later in the order.

The opportunity grew more concrete because the Mariners were without J.P. Crawford and Donovan, leaving a lineup that normally has more defined roles to be reshaped on the fly. In that kind of stretch, a leadoff hitter cannot simply be dependable in the abstract. He has to set the tone quickly, see pitches early, and put pressure on the opposing starter and bullpen plan.

Young, listed as a second baseman, has approached this as part of his transition into a larger spotlight. Leadoff hitters are expected to get on base and also influence how pitchers manage the top of the lineup, but Young’s emphasis has been on the battle itself, not just the outcome. His perspective suggests that, mentally, the biggest change is arriving ready for the first at-bat of the day and then carrying that readiness through repeated at-bats.

Seattle’s broader challenge during this stretch is roster continuity. When regulars are sidelined, the order changes and timing can drift. A player who can hit leadoff consistently with a stable approach helps prevent a bigger slowdown that can happen when teams keep searching for the right mix night after night.

The idea that Young has been “ASG-worthy” in this role speaks to how quickly his performance has resonated beyond the mechanics of his swing. All-Star consideration is often treated as a recognition of sustained impact, but for a player pushed into leadoff duties, it also indicates that voters and fans have been tracking his value in real time, especially as the Mariners try to maintain offensive rhythm without some familiar names.

What to watch next is whether Young’s leadoff success holds over a longer sample with a full rotation of pitchers and defensive looks. If the Mariners keep being forced into adjustments, his ability to stay steady and carry the same approach from at-bat to at-bat will likely determine how smoothly the top of the order functions as Seattle manages through the rest of the month.

Meanwhile, the situation with Crawford and Donovan will shape how long the experiment lasts. If either returns soon, Young may shift roles again, but the takeaway for Seattle is clear: they have received a credible, role-specific answer at the top of the order during a lineup disruption.