Madison Younginer Takes the Mound Tonight For Greenville Drive

When he was playing baseball at Mauldin High School, Madison Younginer always hoped he might someday get to take the mound at Fluor Field as a professional. Tonight that dream will come true, when he pitches for the Drive tonight against the Hickory Crawdads. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

While Younginer said he’s excited about pitching in front of family and friends, he said that’s not his ultimate goal. “I’m glad that (family and friends) are going to see me pitch,” he said. “But they know my goal is to make it to the major leagues.”

Younginer said those close to him understand that in order for him to achieve the ultimate goal, he needs to perform well with the Drive. “I’m happy to get them tickets and have them come and see me play, but they’ve been great about not making it a distraction.”

After being named the Gatorade South Carolina Player of the Year in 2009, Younginer was taken in the seventh round of the first-year free agent draft by the Boston Red Sox and in 2010 and 2011 he was with the Lowell Spinners of the New York-Penn League. He got off to a slow start last year due to a side injury, but did make it back into the starting rotation for 14 starts. In his two years so far as a professional, Younginer has pitched 123.1 innings and allowed only six home runs while permitting opponents an average of less than a hit per inning.

Last fall, Younginer spent some time playing instructional ball improving his technique. “I got to go over a lot of mechanical things in the fall without having to wait until spring,” he said. “It was a great experience and I just want to keep improving on what I learned when I was there.”

Younginer is slotted to be the number five starter for Greenville, who have opened the 2012 season by winning three of four games. Tonight, however, Younginer won’t take the mound until the second inning. Andrew Miller, who is expected to be a part of the Boston Red Sox staff, will be pitching the first inning as part of his rehabilitation assignment. After Miller has finished his work, Younginer will take over.

Patch Pitches – Tonight’s opponent, Hickory, is an affiliate of the Texas Rangers…The Rangers incidentally, have Brandon Snyder on their roster as a first baseman. Snyder and Younginer are cousins.

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