“Can't feel my legs” – Brandon Young gets emotional during national anthem before MLB debut

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Before Brandon Young made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles , he was overcome during the national anthem with emotion, calling it both surreal and overwhelming.
  
• His path to the majors was fraught with adversity, having gone undrafted in 2020 and needing two Tommy John surgeries before returning successfully through the Orioles’ farm system.
  
• In his first game against the Dodgers, Young pitched 4⅓ hitless innings, leaving both teammates and coaches impressed while helping the Orioles secure a 3-1 victory.
  

Before pitching in his first Major League Baseball game, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brandon Young became overwhelmed when singing the national anthem before his turn.

“Pretty unreal. I had the expectations coming in, but they were out of the water, still hard to breathe. Can’t feel my legs. But that was awesome. Everything I’ve dreamed of,” Young expressed, encapsulating the profound impact of the occasion.
A journey of perseverance and determinationYoung’s journey to the majors has not been a conventional one. He went undrafted in the condensed 2020 MLB Draft, signing with the Orioles as a free agent. His resilience would be tested again when he had Tommy John surgery for the second time in 2022 — a procedure he underwent when he was 13. However, Young proved his mettle, working his way back to the mound in 2023 and progressively advancing up the Orioles' ladder. His dominant numbers at Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk — a 3.56 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 86 innings — showed his time had come.

Brandon Young's MLB debut: 4 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 3 K

Hunter Greene today: 3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 4 K

My model says Young > Greene (even without the adjustment for Young's 80 grade lettuce)

— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@TheVergePod) April 19, 2025

Young’s promotion to the majors was welcomed not just by fans but by teammates and coaches who had seen the player’s grit up close. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde commended the 25-year-old for his perseverance and work ethic, saying that he’s been through a lot, but never once did he let it show. “ He stayed focused, he stayed sharp, and he earned this moment.” Young’s rise from undrafted to MLB starter is already inspiring young pitchers throughout the majors, showing that setbacks are not the end of a career — perseverance is.
A memorable debut performance by Brandon YoungBrandon Young, making his Major League debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitched 4⅓ hitless innings in a poised performance beyond his years. His pitch mix was effective enough to keep the Dodgers’ lineup off balance, playing a crucial role in the Orioles’ 3-1 win. This hot start was not only a personal thrill for Young but also a marvelous glimpse of his major league impact.

Everything from the name on the back of his jersey to the fans that cheered him on in his 15th major league game can only be described as reward for a series of tribulations**.

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