Yu Chang debuted in the big leagues in 2019, but his brother, Jin-De Jhang, is recognized by a different transliteration of the same surname.
Chang, a Taiwan native, was a standout pitcher (15 strikeouts vs. Netherlands) and hitter (.414) at the 2011 World Youth Championship, earning an All-Star outfield spot alongside Austin Meadows and Leonardo Munhoz. Jason Lynn and Allen Lin, scouts for the Cleveland Indians, signed him in 2013.
That season, he was a member of the MLB Australian Academy. With the 2014 AZL Indians, he had a strong pro debut, batting .346/.420/.566 with 39 runs scored in 42 games.
The infielder was third in the Arizona League (behind Bobby Bradley and Alex Verdugo), fourth in OBP (between Verdugo and Monte Harrison), second in slugging (.086 behind Bradley), second in OPS (92 behind Bradley), tied for first in runs scored with Bradley, fourth in hits (55), and tied for second in homers (tied for second with Bradley) (two shy of Bradley).
He was named the AZL All-Star shortstop and is Baseball America’s 12th greatest prospect in the loop (between Cody Reed and Eloy Jimenez).
Chang batted .232/.293/.361 with the 2015 Lake County Captains, with a fielding percentage of .948.
Along with Tzu-Wei Lin, he was one of only two minor league position players selected for Taiwan’s national team in the 2015 Asian Championship (four lower league pitchers were chosen).
His brother, interestingly, will play for Taiwan in the 2015 Premier 12. Chang batted.947 for the Silver Medalists, going 3 for 11 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch, four runs scored, and six RBI.
In RBI, he was tied for second on the team with Yu-Ning Tsao, Min-Hsun Chang, and Tzu-Wei Lin, 2 behind Chih-Chieh Su.
How Much Does Yu Chang Make?
Yu Chang is paid an average of $705,400 each year. Chang will be paid a base salary of $705,400 in 2022.