Twenty-three big league seasons, over 9,500 plate appearances and more than 2,500 hits. That’s the combined résumé of former first-round picks Dmitri and Delmon Young. And while the Young brothers haven’t played in the big leagues in a decade (Delmon’s final MLB season came in 2015), the family name isn’t fading anytime soon.
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And while one might assume he’s leaned most on the guidance of his big league uncles, Young is quick to credit another figure as his most pivotal mentor: his grandfather, Larry.
“He’s probably been the most important person with the baseball side for me,” Young said. “Since I started playing baseball, he’s always coached me and taught me everything I really do now. He’s been there from the beginning.”
That presence comes with serious pedigree. After completing school, Larry Young joined the Navy and became one of the country’s first African-American F-14 fighter pilots. But it’s his passion for baseball that’s remained constant — and foundational in shaping not only Quentin, but his sons Dmitri and Delmon before him.
“He’s a gadget guy,” said Dmitri, a two-time All-Star and 13-year MLB veteran. “He’s got all the tech, the analytics, he loves looking at angles and degrees and all that. He’s driven Quentin to understand that part of the game too.”
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, the 18-year-old moves surprisingly well for his size and features a rare blend of power, arm strength and athleticism — traits teams covet at the next level.
When asked to describe his own game, Young pointed to one of today’s most electrifying stars.
“A player comp for me would be Elly De La Cruz,” he said. “We’re both around 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6, really tall and quick on the infield. We both have a lot of power. I’m probably not as fast him, but I definitely think I can be as fast as him at some point.”
While the Oaks Christian (Calif.) standout played a great deal of shortstop in high school, many evaluators project him as a future third baseman or corner outfielder. But don’t tell Young he has to move off the dirt just yet.
“I think that’s the biggest goal I have, just to stay at shortstop for as long as I can,” he said. “I feel like if I keep putting the work in and keep staying at that position for a long time, I feel like I could definitely play it as well as other players.”
“You can put him anywhere,” Dmitri said. “He has a cannon for an arm, crazy range for someone who’s 6-foot-6. The more he plays, the more that baseball instinct shows up. And that’s how you get to that next level — playing every day, everywhere.”
Young’s dedication to improving every aspect of his game was on full display during his time with MLB Develops events and the USA Baseball 18U National Team, programs that help prepare top amateur talent for the next level.
“It’s taught me a lot, helped me become more mature as a person,” Young said. “Knowing what to do at these types of events — with the media, talking to people, talking to a camera. I think it’s helped a lot just being able to express myself more outside of baseball, as well as talk about baseball.”
His push to challenge himself didn’t stop there. Originally, Young moved down a grade during the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on baseball development and gain more playing time. But after proving he could hang with older competition, he reclassified to return to the 2025 Draft class — a decision that showcased both his confidence and readiness.
“I realized I could play with the older kids. I was already playing with this age group, so there was no point in staying an extra year if I could already compete,” Young said. “I think the best decision was moving back up.”
“During COVID, he really sprouted physically and you could see it all coming together,” Dmitri said.
At the plate, where the right-handed hitter boasts a 60-grade power tool, Young’s approach is straightforward.
“I tell myself, get a good pitch and crush it — don’t miss it,” he said. “Try to hit a hard line drive up the middle because I know I have enough power to go to all parts of the field.”
And though he’s had access to professional wisdom throughout his upbringing, Young has embraced his own identity while proudly carrying the family tradition forward.
“My goal has always been to play in the Majors,” he said. “Being able to sign and get into pro ball would be one of my greatest achievements for now, and that will just continue into setting goals for the future.”