Spring Training
Wyatt Young the Shiny Star 3/7/2026
Wyatt is a professional hitter," Mendoza noted after the game. "He doesn't care about the radar gun or the shift. He just finds holes. Every winning team needs a guy like that who can come off the bench and give you a winning AB."
JUPITER, FL — While the heavy hitters and high-priced aces usually command the headlines during Spring Training, today belonged to a "shiny star" who proved that height is no barrier to impact. Wyatt Young, the 5'5" infielder known for his elite bat-to-ball skills, provided the late-inning heroics to lead the New York Mets to a 3-2 comeback victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
The Clutch Moment
In a game that felt like a defensive tug-of-war, the Mets found themselves tied 2-2 in the top of the 8th inning. With runners on the corners and the pressure mounting, Young stepped to the plate and did what he does best: put the ball in play.
Young laced a sharp single through the right side of the infield, driving in pinch-runner Corey Collins for the go-ahead run. It was a textbook "Wyatt Young" at-bat—short, compact, and perfectly placed—reminding the front office why he remains one of the most intriguing depth pieces in the organization.
Game Highlights: A Resilient Rally
The Mets' victory wasn't just about the finish; it was about the resilience shown after a shaky start from Kodai Senga.
Senga’s Struggle: Senga surrendered two solo home runs early to Joshua Baez and Miguel Ugueto, leaving the game after just 2.2 innings with a 6.75 Spring ERA.
The Comeback: Mike Tauchman ignited the offense in the 6th with an RBI double that scored Jackson Cluff.
The Equalizer: In the 7th, Brett Baty (who finished 2-for-3 with a stolen base) and Luis Torrens set the stage for a wild sequence where a Cardinals error allowed the Mets to knot the game at two.
Lights Out Pitching: While Young provided the spark on offense, Jack Wenninger was the anchor on the mound. Wenninger threw three perfect innings to close the game, striking out five and retiring every batter he faced.
Why Young Shines
Drafted in the 15th round out of Pepperdine in 2021, Wyatt Young has often been overlooked due to his stature. However, his performance this spring—currently boasting a .333 average and an .833 OPS—is making it difficult for manager Carlos Mendoza to ignore him.
"Wyatt is a professional hitter," Mendoza noted after the game. "He doesn't care about the radar gun or the shift. He just finds holes. Every winning team needs a guy like that who can come off the bench and give you a winning AB."