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Yu Chang is our No. 6 Cleveland Indians prospect. Who should be No. 7?

Chang could see significant time with the Tribe in 2019 and his power could be a difference maker.

Cleveland Indians Photo Day Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images

The power hitting middle infield prospect formerly known as Yu-Cheng Chang and now known simply as Yu Chang is our No. 6 Cleveland Indians prospect for 2019, improving two spots from his No. 8 ranking last season.

A native of Taiwan signed in 2013, Chang has progressed to a new level each year without having to repeat, landing in Triple-A last season for the first time.

Chang is more than capable both with the glove and with the bat, and while he’s spent the majority of his career playing shortstop, Chang also spent time in 2019 playing third base including all of his time in the Arizona Fall League, where he was one of the brightest stars this past season.

Chang’s big power breakout was in 2017 for Double-A Akron when he mashed 24 home runs, although it came at the expense of batting average (.220) and a slight increase in strikeout rate to 26.4 percent.

While Chang led all minor league shortstops in home runs in 2017, his power tailed off in 2018, dropping to just 14 long balls despite playing in one of Triple-A’s most hitter-friendly parks. His batting average improved to .256 in his Triple-A debut, but the 23-year-old also sported a career-high strikeout rate of 27.8 percent while dropping two percentage points in his walk rate.

Chang will compete for the Indians’ utility position in 2019, looking to replace the void left behind after Erik Gonzalez was traded, and he should be a serviceable replacement if Jose Ramirez or Francisco Lindor need any time off.


WHO SHOULD BE THE NO. 7 PROSPECT FOR 2019?

Brayan Rocchio, SS (Age 18)

2018 (DSL): 111 PA, .323/.391/.434, 1 HR, 8 SB, 4.5 BB%, 12.6 K%, 140 wRC+

2018 (R): 158 PA, .343/.389/.448, 1 HR, 14 SB, 6.3 BB%, 10.8 K%, 137 wRC+

Venezuelan signed in 2017, same class as Valera, destroyed the DSL and was promoted to the AZL quickly. Many scouts said he was the best player in the AZL last year, exploding up Tribe prospect rankings as a result.

Bo Naylor, C (Age 18)

2018 (R): 139 PA, .274/.381/.402, 2 HR, 5 SB, 15.1 BB%, 20.1 K%, 126 wRC+

2018 first round pick, Naylor brings an advanced plate approach and plus hitting to the catcher position. His prospect value will stay high as long as he can stay behind the plate.

Luis Oviedo, RHP (Age 19)

2018 (A-): 9 GS, 48.0 IP, 32.5 K%, 5.3 BB%, 1.88 ERA, 2.22 FIP

2018 (A): 2 GS, 9.0 IP, 16.7 K%, 19.4 BB%, 3.00, 5.36 FIP

The Venezuelan broke out in 2018, winning back-to-back-to-back Pitcher of the Week awards in his Low-A debut for Mahoning Valley. He’s a sinkerballer with nasty swing and miss stuff in the mid 90s.

Bobby Bradley, 1B (Age 22)

2018 (AA): 421 PA, .214/.304/.477, 24 HR, 1 SB, 10.7 BB%, 24.9 K%, 111 wRC+

2018 (AAA): 128 PA, .254/.323/.430, 3 HR, 0 SB, 8.6 BB%, 33.6 K%, 109 wRC+

A 2014 third round pick, Bradley has been 3-4 years younger than his level every season and continues to be a top power threat. Has hit 23+ home runs the last four seasons.

Lenny Torres, RHP (Age 18)

2018 (R): 5 GS, 15.1 IP, 34.9 K%, 6.4 BB%, 1.76 ERA, 2.73 FIP

Indians 2018 first round competitive balance pick was completely unfazed in pro debut, pounding the strike zone and missing bats with a mid to upper 90s fastball and a potentially wicked slider.

Poll

Who should be the No. 7 Indians prospect?

This poll is closed

  • 26%
    Brayan Rocchio
    (67 votes)
  • 18%
    Bo Naylor
    (48 votes)
  • 18%
    Luis Oviedo
    (47 votes)
  • 30%
    Bobby Bradley
    (78 votes)
  • 5%
    Lenny Torres
    (13 votes)
253 votes total Vote Now