I was able to get in touch with Daniel Young recently and he agreed to answer some questions for MLB Draft Guide. He is one of the top high school players in Arkansas and recently committed to Oklahoma State. Young is a righthanded pitcher and first baseman with legitimate potential going forward at both positions.
Matt Grabusky: How old were you when you started playing baseball?
Daniel Young: I started playing baseball when I was 5 years old for a Church League team called Grand Avenue Baptist Church. It was a league set up for kids in our city.
MG: When did you realize that you could have a future in the sport?
DY: I had always been told that I had a future in either football or baseball, depending on which one I chose to pursue. However, at a young age I refused to allow myself to believe this talk so that I would continue to work hard and improve my skills.
MG: What do you consider your strengths as a player?
DY: My strengths would have to include my leadership skills, bat, and arm. I thrive on situations when I’m the one who is looked to in tough situations. I have always been known for having a “country strong” swing at the plate and arm across the infield.
MG: What aspects of your game do you believe need the most work?
DY: The aspect of my game that I think I need the most improvement in is my footwork. I have always been a bigger kid, and my footwork has always seemed to be a half step behind kids smaller than me. I played basketball for my high school this year, however, hoping to improve my footwork through the constant “stop and go” of the sport.
MG: How much time during the year do you spend away from the game?
DY: I always force myself to take some time off when school starts up. I took about 8 weeks off at the start of this year to recooperate. I don’t play any Fall baseball either to give myself some time to be a kid. During that time I workout with my high school team, but I don’t let myself do anything too extreme.
MG: Is there a Major League player who you would compare your game with?
DY: I would compare my game with Derek Jeter. We obviously play different positions and have different roles on the teams we play for, but I have always admired the classy way he plays the game. I try to pull from his game as much as I can to place in my own.
MG: Who has had the most influence on your baseball career?
DY: Without a doubt, my dad has the most influence on me. There have been countless nights we’ve spent at hitting or pitching facilities late into the night working on things together. I owe all of my success to him with all of the sacrifices he has made to send me to places and to make me better.
MG: What has been your personal highlight in baseball?
DY: My personal highlight of my baseball career would have to be hitting a 400+ foot homerun against Jenks High School my sophomore year. The coaches and players at my school and Jenks still joke about it when we play each other.
MG: Who are the best players that you have been on the field with?
DY: The best players I’ve been on the field with are Archie Bradley, Hunter Wood, Connor Costello, and Michael Fulmer.
MG: You recently committed with Oklahoma State. What put the Cowboys over the top for you?
DY: Committing to OSU just seemed too right to turn down. It had come down to Houston, Rice, and Oklahoma State, all of which have a great staff and program. Geographically, Oklahoma State made more sense. Family and friends can come watch, and getting back and forth from home would be easy as well.
MG: If baseball ended tomorrow, you would?
DY: If baseball ended tomorrow, I would continue on with the pursuing a career in pediatric neurology. I love kids and would definitely look forward to helping ones in need every day for the rest of my life.
MG: What is something that baseball fans would be surprised to learn about Daniel Young?
DY: Something surprising to know about me would probably be my passion for helping kids. I give lessons and participate in kid camps at my high school to help their skills develop, but more importantly because I enjoy being around them.
I would like to thank Daniel for taking the time to answer these questions for MLB Draft Guide and our readers.
