Indians: Yu Chang and his power is making it hard to ignore him

Indians infielder Yu Chang may not have a position yet, but at this rate, he’s going to have a slot somewhere in the Cleveland lineup come opening day.

There have been a few names who have stood out so far in spring training for the Indians. Maybe none more so than Yu Chang. Chang was a name mentioned in the shortstop competition early on in camp but it looks like Terry Francona is going in a different direction at the position. The Indians though are going to make sure that Chang gets his chances.

While Spring Training is only a week or so old, Chang already has three home runs. An impressive stat all things considered. With holes still at first base and in the outfield, Chang will make his case to play every day as spring training unfolds.

When discussing Chang’s future, Francona mentioned the possibility of first base, as Paul Hoynes writes;

"He hasn’t played much shortstop just because we’re trying to get a look at the two newer guys. And we’re even going to put him over at first base Wednesday during the B game (against the Reds). He’s been working out a little bit there, but I just thought that would be a good way to introduce him to game speed and not with people in the stands"

The two newer guys that Francona mentions are Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez, two players the Indians got back from the Francisco Lindor trade. Hoynes believes that Gimenez is currently the front-runner to start for the Tribe.

The Indians have to also consider the depth of the position beyond just Rosario and Gimenez. The Indians have three or four shortstops in the minors who could be viable players at the position in the not-so-distant future.

Yet, moving Chang to first isn’t that great of an idea, as the Indians are still trying to figure out if and where Bobby Bradley will play. Bradley has two home runs so far in spring training and has been a long-valued prospect in the Indians minor league system. Jake Bauers is also in contention for a major league spot as well.

If Chang isn’t getting reps in the outfield, a vast wasteland of efficiency last year, then it’s unclear where Chang will play should his spring training continue to go off as well as it has.