2062.52 A Look at Loo Yang

[Krathan]

Loo Yang was originally signed by Boise in 2049 as a minor league free agent out of China. He was traded to Nashville in 2056 and then to Charlotte after the 2058 season.

Yang is a versatile defender who has played second, third, short, right, and a little bit of center over the years between rookie ball and the big leagues. He has appeared in three games at right field since his Charlotte debut in 2059, but the vast majority of his BBA playing time has been in the infield.

Yang played in 47 games with Charlotte in 2059, with 104 at bats. He hit only .183. In 2060, Yang returned to the Flyers for 54 games. He ended up with 116 at bats and hit .250. Then came 2061. Yang seemed to break out, playing in 92 games, with 216 at bats. He slashed .282/.319/.528 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs, and 46 RBI. He also played solid defense at short after taking over as the primary starter following the trade of Elvan Masuki. He ended the year with a defensive efficiency of 1.029 in 55 games.

Unfortunately for Yang, 2062 has not been anywhere near as productive at the plate. He has played 93 games, 81 at short. In 284 at bats, he is slashing just .204/.283/.342 with 9 doubles and 10 home runs. After posting an OPS+ of 118 last year, that number is currently just 64 this season.

Yang struggled in Spring Training, with just 7 hits in 52 at bats and started the year behind Jose Villa on the depth chart after Villa hit .244 in the preseason. Neither man hit particularly well in April, with Villa sitting at .232 and Yang at .190. However, it became clear that Yang was the better defender and Villa moved to the bench going into May.

Yang has posted positive WAR all year, though not by much. A lot of that has been based on his defensive value. Villa has put up negative WAR much of the year, based on his uninspiring offense (.270/.343/.365) and negative ZR on defense.

In May, Yang slashed .276/..235/.284 sitting at the bottom of the lineup and providing a great glove behind a pitching rotation that was starting to find it's form. June was a little better, at .217/.305/.301 and 10 RBI. July saw Yang's average go down to .192 but his OPS went up to .628 because of the 3 home runs he hit.

August is off to a much better start. In 33 at bats, Yang is slashing .273/.368/.545 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI. Yang and the rest of the ballclub are hoping that he has turned a switch and will be able to finish the year strong.

Hitting coach Martin Haddow commented on Yang's recent success at the plate.

"He looks much better up there right now. We worked on a few things to try to help him get back to driving the ball with conviction again like he did last year. I think maybe he's starting to feel comfortable up there again. I hope so. I like the kid and I want to see him succeed."

Will Yang be able to ride his recent wave of success at the plate through the end of the season and into the postseason? Only time will tell, but if he can finish the year hitting the way he has lately then that would be a big boost to his team's chances as they try to win the Atlantic Division Title.

[Dington]

Yang was always on the brink of being a really nice player. Hoped he bumped in an area or two, but at least he got some PT in Charlotte.

[Krathan]

Yeah. Unfortunately he lumped in power instead of bumping. Fortunately, his defense improved so he is an asset there. If he would hit like he did last year I’d be thrilled. This season he’s just sort of been trying not to drown at the plate.

[Dington]

We received Juan Ramirez in exchange for him and he's turned out to be a solid prospect.

[BaseClogger]

We received Juan Ramirez in exchange for him and he's turned out to be a solid prospect.

Ah yes so your seventh starter is better than all of my starters too.

[Krathan]

We received Juan Ramirez in exchange for him and he's turned out to be a solid prospect.

I definitely saw that he looks like he could be useful. Yang may not have done everything I hoped he would but his defense has improved and he is a positive WAR player who is helping my pitchers and he can hit the occasional home run.