CLEVELAND INDIANSPleskoff Scouting Report: Yu-Cheng ChangBernie Pleskoff
By Bernie Pleskoff Posted on Dec 19, 2016
http://www.fanragsports.com/mlb/indians/pleskoff-scouting-report-yu-cheng-chang
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TEAM: Cleveland Indians
AGE: 21
POSITIONS: SS/3B
BATS: Right
THROWS: Right
HEIGHT: 6-foot-1
WEIGHT: 175 lbs.
ACQUIRED: The Cleveland Indians signed Chang as an international free agent
out of Taiwan in 2013.
*****
STRENGTHS
Chang was a very highly-regarded Asian prospect when the Indians signed him.
Not as flashy or as smooth as some of today’s bright, high-profile shortstop
stars, Chang can more properly be projected as a “hit-first” infielder. He
knows how to swing the bat and has some power to go along with the swing
mechanics that can lead to a good batting average.
I initially saw Chang play in the 2016 California-Carolina League All-Star
game this past June. He got one hit in two plate appearances as a mid-game
substitution at shortstop.
The night before the All-Star Game, Chang participated in the Midway Classic
Home Run Derby held aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier in San Diego.
Chang hit three home runs in the first round, but did not advance in the
contest.
Chang’s inclusion in that Home Run Derby illustrates the type of power he
has in his bat. He hit 13 home runs this past season in 477 plate appearances
at Class-A Advanced Lynchburg in the Carolina League. He also drove in 70
runs, a very hefty total for a shortstop. Chang finished the season hitting
.259.
The ball seems to explode off the barrel of Chang’s bat. He has the ability
to rope line drives to all parts of the field with his quick and strong hands
through the ball. In addition to his nice home run total, Chang hit 30
doubles and eight triples at Lynchburg.
His extra-base hit totals are also indicative of his above-average speed. He
should be able to steal double-digit bases easily with a good, quick first
step off first base. He also leaves the batter’s box quickly and should
score his share of ground ball base hits.
Chang can serve as a very nice middle-infield bat with some power, some speed
and a knack for driving in and scoring runs. If that projection holds, he
will have a nice big league career.
WEAKNESSES
I recently scouted Chang in the Arizona Fall League. He has shown a
propensity to swing at sharp-breaking sliders as well as curveballs down and
away from the plate, a common thread among young prospect players. A bit of a
free-swinger, he is fooled by the break of the pitches and he needs both
better pitch recognition and improved plate discipline to avoid swinging at
pitches out of the strike zone. I also saw him scuffle with pitches up too
high for him to handle.
In Chang, I haven’t seen the type of arm strength that we are being spoiled
with among young, elite shortstops in today’s game. Indeed, he has enough
arm strength and accuracy to remain at shortstop, but he may be more
comfortable being able to stay away from having to make plays from the hole.
That may lead to more playing time at third base or even at second.
Regardless his position, he has only average defensive ability at this
juncture of his development.
Yu-Cheng Chang, from Taiwan, who plays for the Lynchburg Hillcats, hits a
home run from the deck of the Midway while participating in the Midway
Classic Home Run Contest on Monday, June 20, 2016, at the USS Midway aircraft
carrier museum in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelz)
Yu-Cheng Chang, from Taiwan, who plays for the Lynchburg Hillcats, hits a
home run from the deck of the Midway while participating in the Midway
Classic Home Run Contest on Monday, June 20, 2016, at the USS Midway aircraft
carrier museum in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelz)
NARRATIVE
Chang has moved nicely in the Indians system. He has played parts of three
seasons and he has already completed Class-A Advanced at the age of 21. He is
likely headed for Double-A next season after gaining experience against
quality minor league pitching in the Fall League. His experience in the Fall
League should help his development.
While no single tool is overwhelming in his game, he does flash enough skill
to be a meaningful contributor hitting at the big league level. His bat is
strong and solid.
A well-proportioned athlete, Chang would, however, be well served by gaining
additional strength in his upper body and legs. I don’t think his speed
would be negatively impacted with more depth to his frame.
I have witnessed some minor hiccups on routine plays at shortstop. They are
more due to carelessness than a lack of ability. He made only two errors this
past fall, but there are times I have seen him challenged to get the throw to
first base as crisply as needed. The carries on his throws have not been as
crisp and sharp as one might like to see.
Offensively, Chang has performed very well against a good young crop of Fall
League pitchers. He led his Mesa AFL Championship team in hitting with a
solid .304 batting average. He had five doubles among his 17 fall hits. He
stole one base in two attempts.
Chang shared time on the Mesa Solar Sox team in the Fall League with the
Athletics Franklin Barreto and Yairo Munoz. While there aren’t enough
at-bats to satisfy all of them, I have seen Barreto play some at second base,
but not Chang.
Chang does find himself behind in lots of counts. He goes up to the plate
looking to drive the ball, but he doesn’t always make contact. He struck out
21 times in the Fall League.
THE FUTURE FOR CHANG
Chang faces an uphill battle to stick as a shortstop in an Indians
organization that is home to Francisco Lindor, one of the finest young
shortstops in the game. Perhaps Chang will get some opportunities to play
more at third base as his career continues.
He played briefly at third in 2014 in the Arizona Rookie League. He played
only 16 games there, and he has played shortstop the rest of the time. In
1024 chances, not counting the current Fall League, Chang has made 46 errors.
He actually reduced his number of miscues this past season, making 17 errors
at Lynchburg compared to 25 the year before at Class-A Lake County.
While I believe Chang’s bat will lead to a role on a major league roster, I
think the depth of infielders in the Indians organization blocks him.
An average and adequate shortstop prospect, he takes a back seat to many of
the young prospect shortstops on other clubs. He can do the job, but he has
some work to do to find consistency in all phases of his defense.
I evaluate Chang as the type of shortstop that can serve on a team that is
searching for shortstop depth. If the Indians were so inclined, I believe he
could be included as a prospect player as part of a larger deal that yields
help at positions of need for Cleveland.
CONCLUSIONS
A bright prospect signed by the Indians from Taiwan, Yu-Cheng Chang is a
competent defensive infielder with a good bat. He has some power, he has some
speed and he can both drive in runs and score them. He could be a
double-digit home run hitter and double-digit base stealer at the big league
level. Those type of offensive players don’t come around every day.
Chang has to tighten his entire game. He is a bit loose as a defender, he
takes some wild swings on offense and he has to learn to use patience on both
sides of the ball.
Playing against increasingly better pitching in higher classifications to
come and with his experience in the Arizona Fall League, Chang and the
Indians will learn if he can adapt, adjust and learn how to handle breaking
balls.
A nice prospect player, I project Change to have enough offensive skill to
intrigue a front office with his bat. Perhaps it won’t be with his current
organization.
SCOUTING PHRASE FOR CHANG: A nice offensive infielder with time to improve
his overall game.
SCOUTING GRADE FOR CHANG: 45 – A member of the 25-man roster as a utility
infielder.