Bucs pick up MiLB OF Young from Jays
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates have traded right-handed pitcher Zach Thompson to the Blue Jays in exchange for Minor League outfielder Chavez Young, the team announced Tuesday.
Thompson, 29, was designated for assignment on Thursday to make room for left-handed pitcher Rich Hill, who signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Pirates.
Similar to right-handed pitcher Bryse Wilson, who was also designated for assignment and traded, Thompson didn’t project to have a role with the Pirates in 2023.
Thompson made 22 starts last season for Pittsburgh, but the club already has plenty of starting depth entering this year. The Pirates’ Opening Day rotation will likely feature Hill, Roansy Contreras, Mitch Keller, JT Brubaker and Vince Velasquez, with prospects Quinn Priester and Mike Burrows on the cusp of their debuts.
Thompson likely wouldn’t have had a role in the bullpen, either. With Johan Oviedo, Chase De Jong and Wil Crowe on the 40-man roster, the Pirates weren’t in need of another multi-inning reliever.
Young, 25, will be a non-roster invite to Major League Spring Training. He was a 39th-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft and has yet to make his Major League debut.
Young’s calling cards are his defense and his speed. Beginning with his glove, Young plays all three outfield positions, but primarily plays center field.
Young has earned a reputation for his arm; from 2019 to 2022, Baseball America recognized Young for having the “Best Outfield Arm” in Toronto’s system. Young has accumulated 33 career outfield assists, 26 of which have come in center field.
On the bases, Young has 119 steals on 153 career attempts (77.7% success rate). Young has stolen at least 20 bases in his last four Minor League seasons. In 2018, Young swiped 44 bases and was named a Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star.
At the plate, Young owns a career .266/.341/.406 slash line with 31 home runs across six Minor League seasons. In 2022, Young hit .234/.331/.350 with five home runs in 65 games at Triple-A Buffalo.
Young is very unlikely to make the Opening Day roster -- the Pirates already have plenty of outfield depth on the 40-man roster -- but could have a role on the Major League team if he’s able to take a step forward at the plate.