The Pittsburgh Pirates today acquired outfielder Chavez Young (pronounced sha-vez) from the Toronto Blue Jays organization in exchange for right-handed pitcher Zach Thompson.
The 25-year-old Young was recognized as having the “Best Outfield Arm” in the Blue Jays organization from 2019-22 according to Baseball America. Young, who will attend big league camp as a non-roster invitee with the Pirates, hit a combined .237 (55-for-232) with six doubles, two triples, six home runs, 22 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 70 games last season between Triple-A Buffalo and Single-A Dunedin (rehab).
Young, who attended spring training last year with Toronto as a non-roster invitee, has recorded at least 20 stolen bases four times in six seasons of minor league play, highlighted by a career-high of 44 in 2018, which was tied for the most among Blue Jays farmhands.
The switch-hitting Young was also the only player in affiliated baseball with 50-plus extra base hits and 40-plus stolen bases while spending the entire 2018 season with Single-A Lansing of the Midwest League.
Young, who was born in Freeport, Bahamas, was selected by Toronto in the 39th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Faith Baptist (GA) Christian Academy.
