The center fielder earns a major commitment after a career-best offensive season and continued defensive contributions.
The Washington Nationals have agreed to a four-year, $23 million contract extension with outfielder Jacob Young. The deal also includes an $8 million club option for the 2031 season.
Young has become an important part of Washington's roster, particularly because of his defensive ability in center field. Since making his major league debut in 2023, he has established himself as a reliable defensive presence, using his speed and range to cover significant ground in the outfield.
He also made progress offensively during the 2026 season. Young finished with a .252 batting average, a .318 on-base percentage and a .390 slugging percentage. His .708 OPS was the highest of his major league career, improving on his previous best of .658. He added 10 home runs, doubling his previous career total, and stole 18 bases in 22 attempts.
Despite the improvement, Young recorded a 94 OPS+, placing his overall offensive production slightly below the major league average. His defensive contributions and baserunning ability nevertheless remain important parts of his value to Washington.
For the Nationals, the agreement represents an investment in a young player who has already established himself defensively while showing progress at the plate. Retaining Young gives the organization greater continuity in center field as it continues developing its roster for the coming seasons.