Who the Heck is Ray Chang?
I’ve noticed that many people have come to this site using “Ray Chang” as part of their key search phrases. Most likely, that is becuase very few have heard of him before this year. Had it not been for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and his inclusion as one of three players (Zhenwang Zhang and Kai Liu being the others) within a Major League club’s affiliation to make the China team, he’d still be a virtual unknown.
Chang primarily plays shortstop, which will likely cause the Chinese team captian, Yufeng Zhang, to move to first base for the WBC. Chang has played in the Padres’ and Pirates’ farm systems, and has a minor-league line of .258/.330/.375. Not eye-popping, but the pitching he’s seen on a regular basis is far better than what his teammates have seen.
The infielder came to the Padres in as an undrafted free agent in 2005 after trying his luck during an open try-out. He had been scouted while playing at Rockhurst University, but was labeled by scouts as having fielding skilsl that were “too latin.”
That year, he split time with the Arizona Fall League and Lake Elsinore. In 2006, he played 26 games with Fort Wayne, hitting .286 with 26 hits and 19 runs over 91 at-bats. He hit three home runs and drove in eight. That season he also played about a dozen games each in Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Portland.
In 2007, Chang split time between High-A Lake Elsinore where he hit .304 and Triple-A Portland, where he spent most of the season. After about 30 games split between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A POrtland, the Padres relased Change. He caught on with Pittsburgh late in the season before appearing in 5 games with their Double-A affiliate in Altoona.
Chang currently plays in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor league system, and has played as high as Triple-A ball. He was born in Kansas City and originally signed with the Padres as a non-drafted free agent out of Rockhurst University in 2005. In 2008, the Padres released him. The Pirates signed him and sent him to Double-A Altoona, where he appeared in five games.
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Photo was pulled from MadFriars.com. I did not take it, nor do I claim ownership.
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Ray is an outstanding guy. One of the best you’ll meet out there. Congrats Ray on all your accomplishments, you deserve it.
[...] Rockhurst: Ray is an outstanding guy. One of the best you’ll meet out there. Congrats Ray on all your accomplishments, you deserve it. [...]
I coach Ray through HS in the KC area. Ray helped us win the 2001 AAU National Championship prior to his 1st full year in college at Rockhurts. Outstanding individual with a tremendous work ethic; I am proud to have had the opportunity to coach him for over 4 years.
Todd-Thanks for visiting and commenting. So glad you shared that experience with my readers.
I grew up in Kansas City, went to Rockhrust High School, and Rockhurst University, just as Ray did. He was five years ahead of me in school, so I never actually had an opportunity to play with Ray. However, we used to work out in the same indoor facility in KC. Usually we were the only two in the building that early in the morning/late at night. You will not find anyone who works harder or someone more genuine. He spent countless hours throwing to me in the cage when he could have said no. Every fall he helps the infielders on the Rock U squad. And last years he spent time over seas putting on clinics in China for boys in impovershed areas. I know he is currently weighing options between playing in Japan for some serious dough or taking a spot on Boston’s AAA club. No doubt a tough decision for him. Whatever his decision, I wish Ray the best. No one deserves it more.