Taiwanese pitcher Chuang Chen-ou DFA'd by Oakland Athletics amid struggles

Taiwanese pitcher Chuang Chen-ou faces an uncertain future after the Oakland Athletics designated him for assignment (DFA) to make room on their 40-man roster for another player. The move comes as a significant setback for the 25-year-old right-hander, who had been included in the Athletics' plans after a solid 2023 season.

In 2023, Chuang pitched a full year across three levels, posting an 86-inning, 2.09 ERA. He was promoted to Double-A last year, where he threw 145.2 innings with a 4.08 ERA, demonstrating stability that led the Athletics to add him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was also selected for the 2025 World Baseball Classic qualifiers and the 2026 Taiwanese national team.

However, Chuang's 2024 season in Triple-A has been a stark contrast. Pitching 59.2 innings, he has struggled significantly, accumulating a high 7.84 ERA. According to MLB Trade Rumors, his strikeout rate has dropped from 23.5% to 14.8%, while his walk rate has increased from 5.7% to 9.9%. These statistics apparently led the Athletics to conclude he no longer warranted a spot on the 40-man roster.

Despite his current difficulties, Chuang was ranked as the Athletics' No. 25 prospect by FanGraphs just a few months ago. With only three days remaining until the trade deadline, MLBTR suggests that another team might still be willing to take a chance on Chuang, potentially overlooking his recent struggles in favor of his past potential.