Jared Young害羞草研究所檚 lifelong baseball dream is a step closer to reality.

The former Okanagan Athletics害羞草研究所� infielder was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 15th round害羞草研究所�465th overall害羞草研究所攊n last week害羞草研究所檚 Major League Baseball draft.

Young, who played this season at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, is excited to get his pro career underway.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 fantastic, honestly,害羞草研究所� said Young. 害羞草研究所淭o be drafted by an organization like the Cubs, the defending World Series champs, I couldn害羞草研究所檛 ask for anything better.害羞草研究所�

Young moved from his native Prince George to Kelowna in high school where he played two seasons with the A害羞草研究所檚, before graduating from KSS and the B.C. Premier Baseball League in 2014.

After two seasons of junior college ball, split between North Dakota and Oklahoma, Young jumped to the NCAA Div. 1 level last fall at Old Dominion and made an immediate impact.

The 21-year-old this season with a .367 average and was named an All-American at second base.

The path Young害羞草研究所檚 baseball career has taken aligns precisely with what he hoped and trusted would happen.

害羞草研究所淚 always believed I had a chance (to play pro), I think I convinced myself of that pretty early and I was going to do whatever I had to,害羞草研究所� said Young. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 pretty exciting to be getting it all started. I害羞草研究所檓 just going to take it as it comes and try make the most of it.害羞草研究所�

Young害羞草研究所檚 success to date comes as no surprise to Okanagan Athletics head coach Evan Bailey. Between Young害羞草研究所檚 natural abilities, strength of character and passion for the game, Bailey believes he has all the tools to thrive at the professional level.

害羞草研究所淭he way I describe it is, Jared could wake up, get out of bed and be the best hitter out there,害羞草研究所� said Bailey. 害羞草研究所淏ut one of the greatest things about him is that he害羞草研究所檚 a great person, too.

害羞草研究所淭he character qualities he has come into play in that he害羞草研究所檚 built for the grind of the minor leagues, he loves every day he害羞草研究所檚 out there, and he brings the long hours and hard work along with it,害羞草研究所� added Bailey. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 a stand-up guy, very resilient and I believe he害羞草研究所檒l take himself really far in the game.害羞草研究所�

Young will leave Sunday for Mesa, Arizona where he害羞草研究所檒l report to the Cubs. He害羞草研究所檒l then transfer to Eugene, Oregon where he害羞草研究所檒l play this summer for Chicago害羞草研究所檚 class A affiliate club.