The Brewster

Chua-kah Yang came into the 2045 season with a point to prove. One of the key pieces in the Don Smith trade was just not progressing it at the Major League-level. Yang is a masher who can hit it over the fence and deep into the gap. And while he makes decent contact, he’s not that discerning with pitches. More like a Vladimir Guerro versus a Joey Votto.

But in 2045, something started to click. Yang’s contact improved slightly in the off season and with Des Moines looking to do something different, he moved to the #2 slot in the lineup. Some would say a guy who strikes out a lot doesn’t belong there, but the Kernels aren’t blessed with players who can work the count and get free passes to first. In the end, it seemed to have worked. Below is a somewhat simple graph of Yang’s OPS over the course of the season.
He struggled in the colder months, but once May hit, he consistently delivered. This consistent effort was mainly due to SLG and not OBP but whatever, it translated into 40 HR, 101 RBIs and a 2.6 WAR. This may improve a little if he can develop a little more contact and power.

On the fielding side, he’s no All Star, but his bat will keep him at 2B since Des Moines has a dearth of crappy fielders who would play DH anywhere else.

Des Moines has a few years left of control with Yang, so hopefully, the team improves its fortunes both at the front office and in the standings before he hits free agency.

An offense can absolutely work with a high strikeout guy at the top. I have been hitting tai hoi wie in the 1/2 spot for a decade now and he might set the K record by the time he is done lol. All depends on what else he brings to the table

+4.6 WAR turnaround from last season. Good to see from Yang.