Entering the 2015 season, there was a quiet buzz surrounding Yu-Cheng Chang. After signing as an international free agent out of Taiwan in June of 2013 for $500,000, Chang had a strong 2014 campaign in the Arizona Rookie League. At age 18, Chang posted a .346/.420/.566 slash line in Arizona, and was named the 12th best prospect in the league by Baseball America. At the time, Baseball America wrote the following on the Chang:
“Chang quickly became a favorite among AZL scouts for his refined skills, especially at the plate, where he showed a compact, quick swing, a good feel for the barrel and more power than expected with a pull-heavy approach.”
Following his big year in Arizona, Chang appeared on most of the Indians’ Top 20 prospect lists, albeit usually falling between 15-20. Due to his success in Arizona, Chang jumped over short-season ball, and at age 19, made the jump to Low-A Lake County.
For the most part, Chang’s 2015 campaign with Lake County was forgettable. His walk rate dropped, his strikeout rate jumped, and he finished the year with a disappointing .232/.293/.320 slash line. Perhaps part of the reason Chang largely struggled in Lake County was due to a concussion he sustained in June. Chang was hit in the head by a fastball, and initially, it was feared he suffered a skull fracture. In comparison, Chang was lucky for the final diagnosis to only be a mild concussion. Still, that time off in the middle of the season could have derailed his season: he only had two hits in first nine games back from the injury, and never picked things up again. Whatever the reason, Chang’s subpar 2015 in Low-A made his name much harder to find on any Top-20 organizational prospect lists entering 2016. In February, Dan Farnsworth at Fangraphs pegged Chang as the Indians’ 25th best prospect, and wrote the following:
“Chang saw his strikeouts and walks trend in the wrong directions [in 2015], while still showing some of the same promise that had him in the conversation for Cleveland’s top 10 last year…his 2015 contact issues may have been just an extended adjustment period, as he has shown a knack for putting the bat on the ball in the past… he projects to have a little bit of everything tool-wise, making him an interesting follow as he continues facing better competition.”
Clearly, though 2015 was not ideal for Chang, there was still reason for optimism for the Taiwanese prospect. The Indians recognized this, as the Tribe’s brass showed faith in Chang by promoting him to High-A Lynchburg to start the 2016 season.
Though the season is early, Chang has delivered on the organizations’ confidence in him so far. At the moment, Hillcats’ manager Mark Budzinski is penciling Chang’s name in the two-hole on most nights, and to date, Chang has slashed .301/.377/.505 with three home runs in 22 games. As is the case frequently with strong numbers in a small sample size, part of Chang’s success in 2016 has come as a result of good fortune: his BABIP currently sits at .385. Clearly, that is unsustainable, but then again no one would ask Chang to have an .883 OPS, his current number, at season’s end.
As Farnsworth noted in his evaluation, Chang has solid tools across the board. At the same time, he lacks any one “plus” tool in his game. If he can stick at shortstop, some think he eventually will shift to third base, his power could be an asset. His nine home runs in 105 games last year at age 19 were solid, but more importantly, his .220 ISO in rookie ball and his .204 ISO so far this season are encouraging.
Ultimately, the most important thing to remember with Chang is his learning curve. Chang won’t be 21 until August, making him over two years younger than the average player in High-A. Also, adjusting to life in America vs. Taiwan has to be another obstacle for the shortstop. From an on-the-field perspective, the signs that Chang is improving his approach at the plate are there, as so far this season, his walk rate is up by over four percent. Off the field, there is no doubt Chang continues to grow more comfortable with America and the English language every day.
Regardless, one of the things that will benefit Chang as he continues to navigate through the minor leagues is that time is on his side. Whether he sticks at shortstop or moves to third base, the presence of players and prospects like Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Erik Gonzalez, Giovanny Urshela and Yandy Diaz, the Indians will have plenty of options to man the left side of the infield before Chang is called upon. If he continues to elevate his prospect pedigree, he could turn into a valuable trade asset for the Indians. For now though, Chang’s focus will be squared on maintaining the early success he has had in Lynchburg.
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