After signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and impressing fans and team officials alike in rookie ball, former City College baseball star Delwyn Young is back making waves at the next stop on his road to the big leagues. 
Young played second base for the South Georgia Waves this season, a Single-A farm club out of the South Atlantic League. He finished with a .323 batting average, 15 homers and 73 RBIs-good enough for a spot on the SAL All-Star team. 
“I had a great year,” Young said, taking a break from the Dodgers’ instructional league in Vero Beach, Florida. “I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot that I needed to this season in order to be successful at the next level.” 
Young led the SAL in extra base hits and was third in overall hitting, proving his bat has big league potential. 
“He’s going to hit, he has that god-given ability,” said Bill Bavasi, director of player development for the Dodgers. “The main thing he has to work on is his defense so he can be that complete player the Dodgers need.” 
Though Young continues to focus on developing his fielding and minimizing errors, his stock as a second baseman has risen substantially in the Dodgers farm system. 
Young’s breakthrough allowed the Dodgers to deal Victor Diaz, a similar offensive second baseman, to the Mets for Jeromy Burnitz. Both Young and Diaz are below average defensively but have a knack for putting the barrel on the ball.  
Bavasi insists this move will not affect the speed Young moves through the minor leagues, but he has already made it to 15th on the Dodgers overall top prospect list and is the second-highest ranked second baseman only to Joe Thurston, who has already spent a fair amount of time in the majors. 
“Delwyn has parts of his game that are less advanced and that’s what he is here to work on,” Bavasi said.
“He is making quick progress from what I have seen in this year’s instructional league,” he added.
Young’s presence at the plate has not only impressed those close to the Dodger organization, but has also had an affect on the teams he faces. 
“Delwyn is an example to the guys on our bench,” said Tony Tijerina, manager of the SAL rival Capital City Bombers. “When you’re talking about set-up at the plate and confidence, he’s as solid as I’ve seen at this level. He’s extremely balanced, has great plate awareness, good strike-zone judgment and great rhythm. He just puts together good at-bat after good at-bat.” 
After the instructional league, Young will have a short break from almost a year of straight baseball before heading back for winter workouts at Dodger Stadium. 
“I’m loving this,” Young said. “This has been my dream and I’m working hard to make it happen.” 
While it’s not officially announced yet, Bavasi said Young will move to Double-A next season and play for the Jacksonville Suns in the Southern League. 
“It’s not official, but based on performance I see no reason why he won’t move up a level next year,” Bavasi said. 
Play opens for the 2004 Double-A season April 3.