After reaching first base, players typically remove their batting gear and have a conversation with the team’s first base coach, who will give them insight before the next at-bat. The Seattle Mariners fortunately have one of the best minds at first base coach in Eric Young Jr. 

“Keeping guys aware and knowing the situations on the baserunning aspects,” Young told MLBbro about part of his role. “Making sure we can get to the next base and score as many runs as possible.”

The well-traveled Young is in his fifth season as first base coach. He spent his first two years with the Washington Nationals. His dad was most recently first base coach with the Atlanta Braves. 

Young, or “EY” as many around the league call him, spent ten seasons as a player in the Major Leagues. Mentoring players who are just coming up is something that is a big part of his contribution on the staff. 

“I enjoy it, especially when I see it translate into success and see them live out their dreams,” Young shared. “Seeing them attentive, wanting to put in the work, and executing during the games, makes me want to stay sharp.”

Young is just 40 years old and is one of the younger first base coaches in the league. 

“My later years as a player, I was already taking guys under my wing, and teams started asking me if I wanted to coach,” he said. “It really is no different than when I was a veteran helping a younger player, I just don’t go between the lines at 7 pm anymore.”

His dad, Eric Young Sr played in the Major Leagues for 15 years, but it wasn’t as obvious a choice to follow his dad’s baseball footprint as many people might have thought. 

“It came down to my senior year of high school. The longevity of baseball and being around it more was the difference. I got hurt in football, so I know one hit could end your career,” Young said. 

The father and son duo have a great relationship, but with the demands of the game, they don’t get to talk as much. 

“He lets me do my thing, our conversations are usually about family and life with baseball mixed in since that’s natural for both of us,” he told MLBbro about their communication. 

Growing up in the game allowed him to speak with some prominent bros aside from his dad when he was younger. 

“Gary Sheffield, Bonds, Fred McGriff, I was able to pick their brains even if it was just to ask them why they were doing a certain drill, ” Young mentioned. 

The Seattle Mariners lost the American League Championship Series in 2025 in seven games to the Toronto Blue Jays. Young and the team are aiming to take the next step. 

“Everybody is hungry,” Young claimed. “Everybody has the same mindset to put the work in and try to do it again.”