Bio

Gaylan Young is a righty hurler who can really hit.

He's recently been shaping younger guys as a grad assistant at New Mexico Highlands, his alma mater. At the same time, he's still shaping his skillset, and it's one that could allow him some flexibility as the Owlz roster takes shape.

"Originally, Cory talked to me mainly as a pitcher, but I've been doing both," Young said. "I've thrown live to these guys. I've taken at-bats off the pitchers we have. In a way, it almost feels like a little bit of an advantage for me. I've stayed in it all year."

The last time this two-way talent took the field, he was crushing it for the Cowboys. In 2021, Young hit .387/.460/.740. He racked up 16 multi-hit games, nine of which included at least three hits. Half of his 58 hits went for extra bases, likely the lift he needed to reach 42 RBI and 40 runs scored on the season as well.

He was the only Cowboy to tally 40-plus in each of those categories, and he became the team RBI leader. In fact, he led Highlands in a whole host of hitting categories: average (.387), hits (58), doubles (16), homers (11), total bases (111 – the next closest total was 85), on-base percentage (.460), slugging percentage (.740 – the next closest mark was .538), and OPS (1.200).

Long story short, Young blistered baseballs all season and brought balance to his batter's box battles.

"I never gave at-bats away, never took an at-bat off. I felt relaxed in the box, really taking it one at-bat at a time," Young said. "I was just executing, trying to get guys in scoring position and score them. I was even willing to bunt if I needed to. Whatever I needed to do to help win, I was willing to do."

On the mound, the meticulous New Mexican went 1-1 in five games, four of which were starts. He struck out 11 through 16.2 innings pitched.

It's a somewhat small sample size, but for proof of his potential as a two-way, look no further than May 7th vs. Adams State. That day, Young persisted through six innings, striking out six batters and walking just one en route to his lone win of the season. On the offensive end, his team scored 19 runs, and with a pair each of RBI and runs scored, he contributed four of them himself. Young finished the day 3-for-6 with a double and a triple.

So he could end up pitching. He could end up playing the infield. He could end up doing both. However it shakes out, it's not going to shake him.

"I don't care where I'm playing or where I'm at in the lineup. As long as I'm in it, it doesn't matter to me. Wherever Cory thinks I'm best, I'll give that 100 percent," Young said. "I want to have fun. I want to win games. I'm just counting down the days until I get to drive up there."