Nationals lock in Jacob Young for the long haul, extending a core of “leaders” in center field

Washington center fielder Jacob Young has agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2030 season, with a club option for 2031, a deal that keeps one of the Nationals’ most established position players in place as the rebuilding effort continues.

The extension comes shortly after the Nationals signed right-hander Cade Cavalli to a contract extension on Sept. 18, and it reflects the approach Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni described as intentional targeting of players the organization views as both talented and “the person and the leader” around them.

Toboni specifically linked Young’s profile to what the Nationals want from position players, saying the center fielder “embodies all the things” Washington is seeking, while also pointing to continuing defensive upside even after Young’s strong recent work in the outfield.

Young, a 2021 seventh-round Draft pick, has developed into a defensive standout and was a back-to-back Gold Glove Award finalist in 2024 and 2025. This season, he ranked in the 96th percentile of the Majors with plus-11 outs above average, according to the team’s reported evaluation.

The Nationals’ view of the contract hinges on more than defense. In 2026, Young posted career highs including 10 home runs, three triples, 50 RBIs, a.318 on-base percentage, a.390 slugging percentage, and a.707 OPS, along with improved batted-ball and plate-discipline markers.

Washington also portrayed Young as a clubhouse leader on a young roster, noting he received the Nationals’ Heart and Hustle Award for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, and Toboni said the organization wants to see how much more can come from Young offensively while maintaining his defensive value.