Yu Chang

{{similar names|Chang Yu (disambiguation){{!}}Chang Yu}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Yu Chang

|image = Yu Chang (52103060016) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Chang with the Cleveland Guardians in 2022

|team = Fubon Guardians

|number = 99

|position = Infielder

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|8|18}}

|birth_place = Taitung, Taiwan

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 28

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Cleveland Indians

|debut2league= CPBL

|debut2date = July 12

|debut2year = 2024

|debut2team = Fubon Guardians

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2023 season

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .204

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 20

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 79

|stat2league = CPBL

|stat2year = April 13, 2025

|stat21label = Batting average

|stat21value = .257

|stat22label = Home runs

|stat22value = 12

|stat23label = Runs batted in

|stat23value = 35

|teams =

Cleveland Indians / Guardians ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2022}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2022}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}})
Fubon Guardians ({{by|2024}}–present)

|awards =

All-World Baseball Classic Team (2023)

}}

Yu-Cheng Chang ({{zh|c=張育成|p=Zhāng Yùchéng}};{{family name footnote|lang=Chinese|Zhāng}} born August 18, 1995) is a Taiwanese professional baseball infielder for the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians / Guardians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, and Boston Red Sox. Chang made his MLB debut in 2019. He represented the Chinese Taipei national baseball team (Taiwan) in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Early life and education

Chang was born in Donghe, Taitung County, and attended Taiyuan Elementary School and Taiyuan Junior High School.{{cite news|last=Lin|first=Hung-han|title=張育成回首棒球路最感謝國中教練王國慶|url=https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/201909210078.aspx|work=CNA|date=21 September 2019|access-date=18 April 2024|language=zh-tw}} He played baseball at the Taichung Senior Agricultural and Vocational High School and was a senior student when he signed with the Cleveland Indians.{{cite news|title=棒協擬對張育成祭處分網友熱議|url=https://sports.ltn.com.tw/news/breakingnews/819902|work=Liberty Times|date=8 June 2013|access-date=18 April 2024|language=zh-tw}}

Professional career

=Cleveland Indians / Guardians (2013–2022)=

==Minor leagues (2013–2019)==

Chang signed with the Cleveland Indians in 2013 as an international free agent for a $500,000 signing bonus.{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2015/05/sizing_up_captains_shortstop_y.html|title=Sizing up Captains shortstop Yu-Cheng Chang: Cleveland Indians Class A Report|date=1 May 2015 |first= Tim|last= Warsinskey|work=The Plain Dealer |access-date=13 April 2021}} He made his professional debut in 2014 with the Arizona League Indians of the Rookie-level Arizona League, where he batted .346 with six home runs, 25 runs batted in (RBIs), and a .986 on-base plus slugging (OPS) in 42 games played. He spent the 2015 season with the Lake County Captains of the Single–A Midwest League, where he posted a .232 average with nine home runs and 52 RBIs in 105 games. In 2016, while playing for the Lynchburg Hillcats of the High–A Carolina League, Chang was named an all-star.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/hillcats/hillcats-all-star-cast-shines-during-trip-to-san-diego/article_7b1889ca-3b45-11e6-a937-47345505ca12.html|title=Hillcats' All-Star cast shines during trip to San Diego|first=Mark D.|last=Robertson|newspaper=Newsadvance.com |access-date=19 November 2016}} He was reported to be involved in a trade to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jonathan Lucroy during the 2016 season; however, the trade fell apart after Lucroy would not waive his no-trade clause.{{cite web|last=Smith |first=Daren |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-192791622 |title=Riding 42-game hitting streak, Indians prospect Francisco Mejia involved in rumored Milwaukee Brewers Jonathan Lucroy trade |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=12 August 2016 |access-date=17 August 2016}}

File:Yu Chang Columbus Clippers (1).jpg in {{Baseball year|2018}}]]

Chang finished the 2016 season with a .259 batting average with 13 home runs and 70 RBIs in 109 games. In 2017, Chang played for the Akron RubberDucks of the Double–A Eastern League, where he hit .220, along with a .461 slugging percentage, with a career-high 24 home runs and 66 RBIs in 126 games. On November 20, 2017, the Indians added Chang to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2017/11/cleveland_indians_add_four_to.html |title=Cleveland Indians add four to 40-man roster; claim Refsnyder; DFA Crockett, Baker |publisher=cleveland.com |date=20 November 2017 |access-date=9 August 2018}}

MLB.com ranked Chang as Cleveland's sixth-best prospect going into the 2018 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-top-30-filled-with-homegrown-talent/c-266818884?tid=151437456|title=Tribe's 2018 Top 30 Prospects list is 100% homegrown|work=MLB.com|access-date=22 February 2018}} He spent the 2018 season with the Columbus Clippers of the Triple–A International League, batting .256 with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs in 127 games.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chang-000yu- |title=Yu Chang Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=12 September 2022}} He returned to Columbus to begin the 2019 season.{{cite news |title=Columbus Clippers Announce 2019 Opening Day Roster |url=https://www.milb.com/columbus/news/columbus-clippers-announce-2019-opening-day-roster-305877558 |access-date=29 June 2019 |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=2 April 2019}}

==Major leagues (2019–2022)==

On 28 June 2019, the Indians promoted Chang to the major leagues.{{cite news |last1=Hoynes |first1=Paul |title=Cleveland Indians recall Yu Chang, put Jose Ramirez on paternity list, activate Mike Clevinger |url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2019/06/cleveland-indians-recall-yu-chang-put-jose-ramirez-on-paternity-list-activate-mike-clevinger.html |access-date=29 June 2019 |publisher=Cleveland.com |date=28 June 2019}} He debuted that night against the Baltimore Orioles, starting at third base.{{cite news |title=Sisco, Orioles rough up Clevinger in 13–0 rout of Indians |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401075961 |access-date=29 June 2019 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=28 June 2019}} On 25 August, Chang hit his first career hit and triple against the Kansas City Royals, against starter Eric Skoglund in the third inning and reliever Scott Barlow in the seventh inning. On 9 September, he hit his first major league home run, a three-run homer, against Los Angeles Angels reliever Justin Anderson. Overall with the 2019 Cleveland Indians, Chang batted .178 with one home run and six RBIs in 28 games.

File:Yu Chang with the Cleveland Indians in 2021 spring training (cropped).jpg

Chang played in 10 games during the shortened 2020 season, batting .182 with no home runs and one RBI. Chang started at first base for Cleveland on Opening Day in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/indians/2021/03/31/cleveland-indians-start-jordan-luplow-yu-chang-opening-day-lineup/4826799001/|website=beaconjournal.com|title=Cleveland Indians to start Jordan Luplow, Yu Chang in Opening Day lineup|access-date=24 November 2021}} He hit his first home run of the season on 5 June, a three-run shot off Baltimore Orioles reliever Adam Plutko. Chang finished the 2021 season with nine home runs and 39 RBIs while batting .228 over 89 games.

Chang appeared in four games for Cleveland during the 2022 season; he was 0-for-10 at the plate while striking out seven times. He was designated for assignment on 26 May 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2022/05/cleveland-guardians-trade-yu-chang-to-pittsburgh-pirates-for-cash.html | title=Cleveland Guardians trade Yu Chang to Pittsburgh Pirates for cash | date=30 May 2022 }}

=Pittsburgh Pirates (2022)=

On 30 May 2022, the Guardians traded Chang to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34010409/pittsburgh-pirates-acquire-infielder-yu-chang-cleveland-guardians | title=Pirates acquire infielder Chang from Guardians | date=30 May 2022 }} In 18 games with the Pirates, he batted .167 with one home run and two RBIs while appearing defensively at first base and second base. He was designated for assignment on 30 June.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/pirates/roster/transactions/2022/06 |title=Pirates Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Pittsburgh Pirates |date=June 2022 |accessdate=22 October 2022}}

=Tampa Bay Rays (2022)=

On 5 July 2022, the Tampa Bay Rays claimed Chang off waivers from the Pirates.{{cite web |title=Rays Claim Yu Chang, Transfer Brandon Lowe To 60-Day IL |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/07/rays-claim-yu-chang-transfer-brandon-lowe-to-60-day-il.html |website=mlbtraderumors |date=5 July 2022 |access-date=5 July 2022}} He was promoted to the Rays' major-league roster on 8 July. In 36 games with the Rays, he batted .260 with three home runs and 12 RBIs, while appearing at every infield position and also pitching two innings. On 9 September, Chang was designated for assignment.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/rays/roster/transactions/2022/09 |title=Rays Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Tampa Bay Rays |date=September 2022 |accessdate=22 October 2022}}

=Boston Red Sox (2022–2023)=

On 12 September 2022, the Boston Red Sox claimed Chang off waivers from the Rays.{{cite news |last1=Leger |first1=Justin |title=Red Sox claim infielder off waivers from Rays |url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/red-sox-claim-infielder-off-waivers-from-rays/266167/ |access-date=12 August 2023 |publisher=NBC Sports Boston |date=12 September 2022}} He was added to Boston's major-league roster two days later.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2022/09 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=September 2022 |accessdate=14 September 2022}} In 11 games with the Red Sox, he batted .150 (3-for-20) with one RBI, and made defensive appearances at first base, second base, and shortstop. Overall during the 2022 season, Chang appeared in 51 MLB games for four different teams, batting .222 with three home runs and 13 RBIs.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/changyu01.shtml |title=Yu Chang Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=22 October 2022}} On 18 November, Chang was non-tendered by the Red Sox and became a free agent.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/red-sox-non-tender-franchy-cordero-yu-chang-both-are-free-agents/ar-AA14hCA1 |title=Red Sox non-tender Franchy Cordero, Yu Chang; both are free agents |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |via=MSN.com |date=18 November 2022 |accessdate=18 November 2022}} On October 13, Chang elected free agency.

The Red Sox re-signed Chang to a one-year, major league contract on 16 February 2023.{{cite web |title=Red Sox agree to one-year contract with infielder Yu Chang |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-red-sox-agree-to-one-year-contract-with-infielder-yu-chang |website=MLB.com |access-date=16 February 2023}} He made the Red Sox Opening Day roster.{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/03/red-sox-roster-bobby-dalbec-optioned-to-triple-a-yu-chang-makes-team-as-utility-man.html |title=Red Sox roster: Bobby Dalbec optioned to Triple-A, Yu Chang makes team as utility man |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |date=March 27, 2023}} In April, he was briefly on paternity leave and missed one game for the birth of a daughter.{{cite news |url=https://bloggingtheredsox.com/2023/04/20/red-sox-reinstate-yu-chang-from-paternity-list-option-enmanuel-valdez-to-triple-a-worcester/ |title=Red Sox reinstate Yu Chang from paternity list, option Enmanuel Valdez to Triple-A Worcester |first=Brendan |last=Campbell |website=bloggingtheredsox.com |date=April 20, 2023 |accessdate=April 21, 2023}} On 25 April, he was placed on the injured list due to a hamate bone fracture in his left hand.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36290963/red-sox-yu-chang-expected-several-weeks-hamate-fracture |title=Red Sox's Yu Chang could miss 6 weeks with fracture in hand |website=ESPN.com |date=April 25, 2023 |accessdate=April 26, 2023}} After suffering a setback in his rehab, Chang was transferred to the 60-day injured list on 22 June.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox's Yu Chang: Moved to 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-yu-chang-moved-to-60-day-il/amp/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was activated from the injured list on 7 July.{{cite web |last1=Stiefel |first1=Keagan |title=Red Sox Shuffle Roster To Activate Yu Chang, James Paxton |url=https://nesn.com/2023/07/red-sox-shuffle-roster-to-activate-yu-chang-james-paxton/ |website=NESN |date=7 July 2023 |publisher=New England Sports Network |access-date=8 July 2023}} In 39 games, he hit .162/.200/.352 with 6 home runs and 18 RBI. On 8 August, Chang was designated for assignment by Boston after Trevor Story was activated from the injured list.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox Designate Veteran For Assignment To Create Room For Trevor Story's Return|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/red-sox/news/red-sox-designate-veteran-for-assignment-to-create-room-for-trevor-storys-return-scott7|access-date=August 8, 2023|website=si.com|date=8 August 2023 |language=en}} On 11 August, it was announced that Chang accepted an outright assignment to Boston's Triple-A affiliate, the Worcester Red Sox.{{cite web |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/08/red-sox-roster-yu-chang-clears-waivers-accepts-assignment-to-woosox.html |title=Red Sox roster: Yu Chang clears waivers, accepts assignment to WooSox |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |date=August 11, 2023 |accessdate=August 11, 2023}} He elected free agency following the season on 13 October.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-10-13|title=Transactions|website=Minor League Baseball}}

=Tampa Bay Rays (second stint) (2024)=

On 20 February 2024, Chang signed a minor league contract with the Rays.{{cite news |title=Infielder Yu Chang signs minor league contract with Rays |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39562752/infielder-yu-chang-signs-minor-league-contract-rays |access-date=February 22, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=February 20, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Hsieh |first1=Ching-wen |last2=Mazzetta |first2=Matthew |title=BASEBALL/Taiwan's Yu Chang signed by Tampa Bay Rays to minor league contract |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202402210006 |access-date=February 23, 2024 |date=February 21, 2024}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Taiwan's Yu Chang returns to Tampa Bay Rays with minor league deal |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2024/02/22/2003813899 |access-date=February 23, 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=February 22, 2024}} On 1 March, it was announced that Chang would miss six–to–eight weeks with an oblique strain, ending his chances of making the Opening Day roster.{{Cite web|title=Rays' Yu Chang: Facing extend absence|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-yu-chang-facing-extended-absence/amp/|access-date=March 2, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 14 games for the Triple–A Durham Bulls, he batted .293/.431/.512 with two home runs, seven RBI, and two stolen bases. On 18 June, Chang announced that he would be leaving the Rays organization and returning to Taiwan to enter the 2024 CPBL draft.{{Cite web|title=Yu Chang to Enter 2024 CPBL Draft|url=http://cpblstats.com/yu-chang-enters-2024-cpbl-draft/|access-date=June 18, 2024|website=cpblstats.com|date=18 June 2024 |language=en}}

=Fubon Guardians (2024–present)=

On June 28, 2024, Chang was selected by the Fubon Guardians with the first overall pick of the 2024 CPBL mid–season draft.{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Chi-fang |last2=Hsieh |first2=Ching-wen |last3=Chao |first3=Yen-hsiang |title=Yu Chang named CPBL first pick by Fubon Guardians |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202406280018 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=June 28, 2024}} Chang and the Guardians agreed to the largest contract in league history on July 11, 2024, worth NT$92.5 million over three and a half years.{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Chi-fang |last2=Chao |first2=Yen-hsiang |title=BASEBALL/Yu Chang joins Fubon Guardians on CPBL record deal over NT$90 million |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202407110020 |access-date=12 July 2024}}

In the 2024 season, Chang appeared in 47 games, recording 37 hits, including 5 doubles, 1 triple, and 10 home runs, along with 30 RBIs and 29 runs scored. He posted a .270 batting average, a .445 on-base percentage, and a .540 slugging percentage, while striking out 40 times and stealing 4 bases.{{Cite web |title=中華職棒大聯盟全球資訊網 The Official Site of CPBL |url=https://www.cpbl.com.tw/team/person?Acnt=0000006888 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=www.cpbl.com.tw |language=zh-Hant}}

International career

Chang was selected to the Chinese Taipei national baseball team (Taiwan) roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Chi-fang |last2=Chao |first2=Yen-hsiang |title=Former MLB infielder Yu Chang listed on Taiwan WBC team roster |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202301130015 |access-date=16 January 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=13 January 2023}} He initially declined to play for the national team, preferring to prepare for the upcoming MLB season. The decision garnered widespread backlash from Taiwanese fans, who labelled Chang a "military deserter"; he previously had been exempted from compulsory military service in exchange for representing Taiwan in the 2019 Asian Baseball Championship and other international competitions. Chang reversed his decision, pledging to play for Taiwan "if selected."{{cite news |author1=Joseph Yeh |title=WBC/From attempted no-show to Taiwan hero: Yu Chang's WBC redemption |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202303130016 |agency=Focus Taiwan |date=13 March 2023}}

At the 2023 tournament, Chang emerged as the breakout player on the Chinese Taipei roster. In a nod to the controversy surrounding his military exemption, he became known for saluting after reaching base; fans nicknamed him "the Minister of Defense."{{Cite tweet |author=陳彥翰 Chen Yen-Han |user=chen_yenhan |number=1634297434603147264 |title=If you watch MLB, may know who Yu Chang is. Currently he's playing for the Taiwan national team. He salutes after reaching base because initially, he declined to play for Taiwan. And then he was reminded that he signed a deal to play in exchange for military service exemption.}} Despite his team failing to reach the quarterfinals, Chang was named the most valuable player of Pool A after batting .438 (7-for-16) with two home runs and eight RBIs in four games.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Christopher |date=12 March 2023 |title=Red Sox player named WBC Pool A MVP with 2 homers, 2 doubles, .438 average |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/03/red-sox-player-named-wbc-pool-a-mvp-with-2-homers-2-doubles-438-average.html |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=masslive |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Yeh |first1=Joseph |title=WBC/Taiwanese slugger named WBC Pool A MVP |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202303130006 |access-date=13 March 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=13 March 2023}} Chang was ultimately selected for the 2023 All-World Baseball Classic Team as first baseman, making him the first Taiwanese (Chinese Taipei) player to be on the All-World Baseball Classic Team.{{cite web |title=2023 World Baseball Classic Most Valuable Player and All-Tournament Team announced |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-2023-world-baseball-classic-most-valuable-player-and-all-tournamen |website=mlb.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media, LP. |access-date=16 April 2023}}{{cite web |last1=羅 |first1=志朋 |title=張育成獲經典賽最佳一壘手 |url=https://sports.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/1573625 |website=自由體育 |date=23 March 2023 |publisher=The Liberty Times. |access-date=16 April 2023}}

Chang was selected to represent the Chinese Taipei national baseball team in the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers (WBCQ). He delivered a strong performance throughout the tournament, hitting a home run in the opening game and maintaining a consistent batting average of .389.{{Cite web |last=中央通訊社 |date=2025-02-26 |title=張育成經典賽資格賽場場敲安好表現直言打國家隊很享受 {{!}} 運動 |url=https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aspt/202502260007.aspx |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=中央社 CNA |language=zh-Hant-TW}}

Personal life

Chang is from the Amis people, an Indigenous Austronesian ethnic group in Taiwan. He and his wife, Ling, have a son and a daughter.{{cite news |last1=Noga |first1=Joe |title=Yu Chang receives anti-Asian hate messages on social media following Cleveland Indians loss |url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/04/yu-chang-receives-anti-asian-hate-messages-on-social-media-following-cleveland-indians-loss.html |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=Plain Dealer |date=13 April 2021}} Chang's brother {{ill|Jhang Jin-de|zh|張進德}} is also a professional baseball player.