Making his first start of the 2023 campaign, Jared Young didn’t waste time providing a spark to the Cubs lineup.

Young got down in the count quickly 0-2 against Phillies starter Aaron Nola in the 3rd inning.

But he smacked the next pitch 425 feet to right field for his first MLB homer:

Jared Young's first career home run was SMOKED 💥 @advocatehealth pic.twitter.com/V8ZSAyHXom

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 29, 2023

“That ball was shot out of a cannon,” David Ross said. “That was loud. Happy for him.”

Young admitted he was a little nervous in his first at-bat back at Wrigley Field. But as he rounded the bases, he was able to take in the gravity of the moment.

“I was really fired up,” Young said. “I know it was a 5-0 ballgame at the time and we just gotta get runs and gotta get baserunners. A good swing like that can help sometimes. I was just pumped up. I was excited. My family was here. It was just a really good moment for me.”

Among the family in attendance at Wrigley was Young’s brother and his 1-month-old niece. 

Young was able to procure the home run ball from a fan in the right field bleachers, trading a bat and a photo for the baseball.

And he intends to give the baseball to his niece … whom he met for the first time on the field Wednesday.

“She was just born back in Canada,” Young said, smiling. “She’s definitely getting the ball.”

Young was just called up to Chicago Tuesday and inserted into the lineup as the DH Wednesday against Nola and the Phillies.

The 27-year-old left-hander had been red-hot in Triple-A, with 9 homers, 28 RBI and a 1.300 OPS over the last month prior to his promotion. He’ll continue to get at-bats for the Cubs against right-handed pitchers and could play first base, DH, third base or the outfield.

Young made his MLB debut late last season with the Cubs, compiling 5 hits in 6 games in September.