Q: Hasn’t Delwyn Young “gone bananas” enough to warrant starting in right field for a while? A .346 (batting average) is what it is. Why not let it play out? Another question: If Nyjer Morgan gets dealt can Brandon Moss play left competently or could we see a call up of Garret Jones?
Jeff Z, Virginia Beach, Va.
A: One thing holding Delwyn Young back from being a starting outfielder is his defense. It is merely adequate in spots, but not stellar. I’m not sure he’ll ever be an everyday player at any one position. But I could see him having a long, successful (and lucrative) career in the majors as a utilityman/pinch-hitter/fourth OF.
I think Moss would be OK in left coming into this season, he had played in 49 games in LF and 36 in RF although he might struggle some in the pasture that is PNC Park’s left field. More likely, Lastings Milledge (if that’s who would arrive in a trade) would go to left. Jones is having a heckuva season (.303, 12 HR, 48 RBI, .842 OPS) at Triple-A, and I would think he’d be a natural call-up if/when, say, Eric Hinske is traded.
