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Oakland Athletics Jesus Luzardo heads up prospects that could impact 2018 playoff teams in 2019

By Benjamin Chase

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo #9 of the Oakland Athletics and the World Team works the first inning against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo #9 of the Oakland Athletics and the World Team works the first inning against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Athletics
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 16: Yu Chang #9 of the Glendale Desert Dogs and Cleveland Indians in action during the 2018 Arizona Fall League on October 16, 2018 at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Indians

The Indians roster is definitely in flux still this offseason, and in a matter of a month, there could be an acquired prospect that makes a significant impact on the roster, but this fall, one stepped forward and has impacted how trade negotiations are going this offseason.

After working Jason Kipnis in the outfield some the past two seasons, the Indians have found themselves comfortable with star infielder Jose Ramirez at either second base or third base. The ability to shift Ramirez to second base could open up a spot for Yu Chang.

Chang came to the Indians from Taiwan as a teenager, making his debut in 2014 in their system, where he hit .346/.420/.566 in the Arizona Rookie League, flashing power and speed, along with a tremendous glove. The glove and power have carried forward as Chang climbed the ladder, but his contact ability hasn’t been as strong, hitting between .232 and .259 each season.

Chang reworked his swing toward the end of the season, and while he struggled in-season with the change, he ironed out the change during fall instructs before heading to the Arizona Fall League, where he showed excellent ability to put the barrel to ball, hitting .337/.396/.523 with 4 doubles and 4 home runs. Chang also spent the majority of his time in the AFL at third base, where he put on a show at times with his strong arm at the position.

He may open at AAA to get more of a feel at the position in game action, having played just 39 games there in his minor league career previously. However, with the adjustments at the plate and the strong glovework he can offer, Chang could be a huge piece of keeping the Indians atop the AL Central.

Atlanta Braves

He made 5 starts in 2018, but Mike Soroka ended up missing out on meeting rookie standards due to injury, leaving him still a prospect, and he is the obvious choice at this spot. Soroka very well may have gone from one of the most underrated prospects nationally to one of the same among Braves fans, as multiple top prospect lists have come out with Soroka down on the list quite a bit.

If you look at his experience in the majors, this makes little sense. You simply need to look at two games – his debut May 1st and his final full start on June 13th, both against the New York Mets. He faced Noah Syndergaard in the first game and Jacob deGrom in the second game. In those two starts, Soroka tossed 12 1/3 innings, allowing one run on 7 hits and a walk, striking out 9.

Soroka has been compared very favorably to a pitcher in the mold of Roy Halladay or Corey Kluber – a guy who can manipulate his pitches and attacks hitters on the mound as much mentally as with raw stuff. He will almost certainly take a rotation spot for the Braves in 2019 now that he’s healthy, and he will be something special to watch on the mound.

Now, we look at the team from the Bronx, the other Wild Card winner…

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