[3] Traded by the Mets to the Houston Astros on September 1, 1984, for third baseman Ray Knight, Young made his major league debut with them on July 8, 1987.

1989 was a disappointment for Young offensively, although he finished 8th in the league in steals (34) and accomplished a rare defensive feat by recording 412 putouts with only one error and adding 15 outfield assists.

Young spent the next three seasons splitting time between the Astros, their Triple A affiliate the Tucson Toros, and the disabled list (with an assortment of injuries).

Young hit .340 in spring training, but the team acquired power-hitting outfielder Dale Murphy in the first week of the 1993 season.

He was a free agent for a few weeks before landing with the Class AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and hitting .301, but he was released after 32 games.