Young able to stand out in 51s’ crowded outfield

He rarely even ponders his place in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

“I don’t know where I’m headed, but I like where I’m going,” Young said, laughing. “Does that make sense?”

As long as he’s in the lineup and hitting, Young is happy. Despite a crowded outfield in Las Vegas, where six players must share time at three positions, Young has played in 10 of 11 games.

He started in left field and went 0-for-4 in the 51s’ 2-1 victory over the Salt Lake Bees on Monday at Cashman Field.

Andy LaRoche hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and left-hander Eric Stults (2-0) worked seven innings to earn the win for Las Vegas (7-4).

The Dodgers want LaRoche, who started at third base Monday, to play in the outfield about twice a week. James Loney, a first baseman last season, is playing about five games a week in right field.

Young, a second baseman two years ago, is alternating between the corner outfield positions.

Choo Freeman is the regular center fielder, while Larry Bigbie and Mitch Jones also play the outfield. Bigbie was the designated hitter Monday, and Jones was at first base.

“It’s not easy,” 51s manager Lorenzo Bundy said of distributing playing time. “I wish there was a solution other than somebody having to sit.”

Young, 24, will rarely sit. He played 140 games last season, tying the Las Vegas franchise record, and led the Pacific Coast League in doubles (42) while leading the team with 18 home runs and 98 RBIs.

He was called up to Los Angeles in September, joining former 51s players Loney, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton as the Dodgers made the National League playoffs.

“The playoff run we were going through was unimaginable. It was a blast,” Young said. “I want to go back.”

Tired after last season, Young took the winter off. He spent time with his 1-year-old niece and took a hunting trip to South Carolina.

But there was one outdoor activity he avoided.

“I’m not a lucky fisherman,” Young said. “I’m that guy who’s always checking his bait while everybody else is catching fish.”

He is catching on to the nuances of playing the outfield. Bundy, formerly the hitting instructor for the Tucson Sidewinders, said Young has a strong arm and defense is no longer his weakness.

“When I first saw him in this league a couple years ago, he was at second base,” Bundy said. “I’m writing my report on him from the other dugout, and I’m saying, ‘I like this guy’s bat, but they’ve got to get him off second base.’

“Going from the infield to the outfield is not easy, but I think he’s made some pretty good adjustments.”

Young said he has a “whole different perspective” about playing the outfield.

What he’s working to improve is his discipline at the plate. Young, hitting .300 with two homers this season, struck out three times Monday.