Tsung-Che Cheng

Cheng, a native of Pingtung County, Taiwan, signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Pu-Men High School as an international free agent on July 2, 2019, for a signing bonus of $380,000.{{cite news |title=Reds' De La Cruz headlines Players of the Month |url=https://www.appyleague.com/news/minor-league-baseball-players-of-the-month-august-2022 |access-date=16 January 2023 |publisher=MILB.com |date=7 September 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Yen |first1=William |title=Taiwanese high school infielder signs with Pittsburgh Pirates |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/201907100011 |access-date=16 January 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=10 July 2019}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Kaohsiung high schooler signs with US' Pirates |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2019/07/11/2003718470 |access-date=16 January 2023 |work=Taipei Times |date=11 July 2019}} He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=March 16, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

Cheng made his professional debut with the Florida Complex League Pirates in 2021,{{cite news |last1=Mackey |first1=Jason |title=Pirates Pipeline: Five under-the-radar prospects you should know |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2021/12/08/Pirates-under-the-radar-prospects-Escotto-Herman-Glenn-Bradenton-minor-leagues-Pipeline/stories/202112080128 |access-date=16 January 2023 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=8 December 2021}} and played second base, third base, and shortstop throughout the season.{{cite news |last1=Avallone |first1=Michael |title=Priester, Rodriguez pack a punch for Pirates |url=https://www.mlbdraftleague.com/frederick/news/pittsburgh-pirates-organization-all-stars-2022 |access-date=16 January 2023 |publisher=MILB.com |date=7 December 2022}} After the 2021 minor league season ended, Cheng played winter ball with the Caimanes de Barranquilla, winning the 2022 Caribbean Series.{{cite news |last1=Miranda |first1=Eugenio |title=Serie del Caribe: Final inédita entre Gigantes del Cibao y Caimanes de Barranquilla |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/beisbol/seriedelcaribe2022/nota/_/id/9878900/gigantes-cibao-caimanes-barranquilla-final-inedita-urueta-mosquera |access-date=16 January 2023 |work=ESPN.com |date=3 February 2022 |language=es}}

Cheng spent the 2022 Minor League Baseball season with the Bradenton Marauders, playing shortstop more frequently. He appeared in 104 games, hit for a .270 batting average, .376 on-base percentage, and a .794 on-base plus slugging percentage, while scoring 79 runs. Of his 38 extra-base hits, seven were triples. He led the Florida State League in triples and runs scored, finished second in on-base percentage, fourth in batting average, and fifth in on-base plus slugging percentage. Cheng's 33 stolen bases in 39 attempts led all minor leaguers within the Pirates organization.{{cite news |last1=delos Santos |first1=Justice |title=Pirates announce honors for top Minor League performers |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/pirates-announce-2022-organizational-awards |access-date=16 January 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=8 November 2022}} At the end of the 2022 minor league season, Cheng was assigned to the Gigantes de Carolina of the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League.{{cite news |title=Los Cangrejeros están a un paso de adelantar a la Serie Final |url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/beisbol/notas/los-cangrejeros-estan-a-un-paso-de-adelantar-a-la-serie-final/ |access-date=16 January 2023 |work=Primera Hora|date=14 January 2023 |language=es}}

At the start of the 2023 regular season, Cheng ranked thirtieth on MLB Pipeline's list of top Pirates prospects{{cite news |last1=Mayo |first1=Jonathan |title=Where the Pirates' Top 30 Prospects are starting season |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/where-pirates-top-prospects-are-starting-2023-season |access-date=February 4, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=April 5, 2023}} and was assigned to the Greensboro Grasshoppers.{{cite news |title=Pirates announce preliminary Minor League rosters |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-pirates-announce-preliminary-2023-minor-league-rosters |access-date=9 April 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=3 April 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Kevin |title=Henry Davis, Liover Peguero to start at Altoona as Pirates announce minor league rosters |url=https://triblive.com/sports/henry-davis-liover-peguero-to-start-at-altoona-as-pirates-announce-minor-league-rosters/ |access-date=9 April 2023 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=3 April 2023|quote=High-A Greensboro's roster features a pair of top-10 prospects in right-hander Bubba Chandler and lefty Anthony Solometo, as well as top-30 prospects in infielder Tsung-Che Cheng and outfielder Hudson Head.}} On June 23, he played his first game at the Double–A level, with the Altoona Curve.{{cite news |title=Pirates farm report for June 23, 2023: Anthony Solometo shines in home debut for Curve |url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-farm-report-for-june-23-2023-anthony-solometo-shines-in-home-debut-for-curve/ |access-date=July 20, 2023 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=June 23, 2023 |quote=2B Tsung-Che Cheng (.000) hit a sacrifice fly in his Double-A debut.}} During the season, Cheng set a career high in triples and was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the twenty-second best Pirates prospect.{{cite news |last1=Destin |first1=Andrew |title=Pirates Pipeline: Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng utilizing speed in breakout campaign |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2023/08/28/pittsburgh-pirates-pipeline-minors-tsung-che-cheng-quinn-priester-solometo/stories/202308280063 |access-date=November 5, 2023 |work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette |date=August 28, 2023 |quote=The 22-year-old switch-hitting shortstop from Pingtung County, Taiwan, whom the team signed as an international free agent in 2019, first showcased his sensational speed with the Pirates when he swiped 16 bags in just 38 Florida Complex League games in 2021. But it isn’t just the ability to steal bases that’s allowed Cheng to rise to No. 22 overall in the Pirates’ system, per MLB Pipeline. Facing some of the stiffest competition yet of his career in High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona, Cheng has run into some power to complement his usually high batting average, hitting 11 home runs so far in 2023. But even when Cheng isn’t depositing balls over the fence, he’s driving them and getting off to the races, as evidenced by his career-high 10 triples this season.}}

On November 14, 2023, the Pirates added Cheng to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite news |last1=Mackey |first1=Jason |title=Pirates add Braxton Ashcraft, Tsung-Che Cheng to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 draft |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2023/11/14/braxton-ashcraft-che-cheng-40-man-roster-rule-5-draft/stories/202311130107 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette |date=November 14, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Kevin |title=Pirates add RHP Braxton Ashcraft, INF Tsung-Che Cheng to roster to protect from Rule 5 Draft |url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-add-rhp-braxton-ashcraft-inf-tsung-che-cheng-to-roster-to-protect-from-rule-5-draft/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=November 14, 2023}} Prior to the start of the 2024 season, he was ranked the seventeenth-best Pirates prospect by MLB Pipeline.{{cite news |last1=Mackey |first1=Jason |title=As international signing day kicks off, Pirates secure two of Baseball America's top 32 options |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2024/01/15/pirates-brazoban-feliz-dominican-republic-international-signing-day/stories/202401150072 |access-date=February 4, 2024 |work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette |date=January 15, 2024 |quote=If you look at the Pirates’ top 30 prospects list, it’s littered with recent international additions. Nine of those guys comprise MLB Pipeline's current ranking of Pirates prospects, highlighted by right-hander Jun-Seok Shim at No. 14. Shim, signed a year ago, was the 10th-ranked prospect when he was selected. He’s followed by shortstop Yordany De Los Santos, who was 12th in the 2022 class and received a bonus of $1.2 million. After Tsung-Che Cheng (No. 17), who was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, there’s outfielder Shalin Polanco at No. 21. The Pirates signed Polanco (no relation to Gregory) for $2.35 million in the 2021-22 period, the second-biggest bonus in franchise history for an international player.}} Cheng was optioned to Double–A Altoona to begin the year.{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Kevin |title=Pirates sign LHP Eric Lauer, camp cuts include 2023 Opening Day starter, 1st-round pick |url=https://community.triblive.com/c/penn-hills-progress/sports/4b490279a7cc826d5cb2bc7af3d0c07c |access-date=March 31, 2024 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=March 12, 2024}} In 126 appearances for the Curve, he slashed .218/.320/.341 with 11 home runs, 54 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. On September 17, 2024, the Pirates promoted Cheng to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.milb.com/indianapolis/roster/transactions/pittsburgh-pirates |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=MiLB.com |language=en}}

Cheng was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=Pirates make 2nd round of spring training cuts|url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-make-2nd-round-of-spring-training-cuts|date=March 11, 2025|first1=Kevin|last1=Gorman|access-date=March 18, 2025|work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review|language=en}} On April 7, 2025, Cheng was promoted to the major leagues for the first time following an injury to Jared Triolo.{{cite news |last1=Hiles |first1=Noah |last2=Beazley |first2=Colin |title=Jared Triolo placed on injured list; Pirates promote Tsung-Che Cheng from Triple-A |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2025/04/07/triolo-cheng-injured-list-roster-move/stories/202504070061 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette |date=April 7, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Guerriero |first1=Justin |title=Pirates prospect Tsung-Che Cheng soaks things in post call-up to bigs |url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-prospect-tsung-che-cheng-soaks-things-in-post-call-up-to-bigs/ |access-date=April 8, 2025 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=April 7, 2025}} Two days later, Cheng made his major league debut against the St. Louis Cardinals,{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401695083 |title=Joey Bart singles in 13th to give Pirates 2-1 win over Cardinals despite 6 hitless from Fedde |access-date=April 9, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=April 9, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Chao |first1=Yen-hsiang |title=BASEBALL/Taiwan's Cheng Tsung-che makes MLB debut with Pittsburgh Pirates |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202504100005 |access-date=10 April 2025 |agency=Central News Agency |date=10 April 2025}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Cheng Tsung-che of Taiwan debuts in MLB |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2025/04/11/2003834990 |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=Taipei Times |date=11 April 2025}} and became the 18th Taiwanese player in Major League Baseball history.{{cite news |last1=Chao |first1=Yen-hsiang |title=BASEBALL/Cheng Tsung-che demoted to Pirates' Triple-A affiliate from majors |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202504170003 |access-date=17 April 2025 |agency=Central News Agency |date=17 April 2025}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Pittsburgh send Taiwan’s Cheng back to minors |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2025/04/18/2003835388 |access-date=18 April 2025 |work=Taipei Times |date=18 April 2025}}

Shortly after signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cheng competed in the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup.{{cite news |title=Panamá cayó en el debut del Mundial U18 ante China Taipei |url=https://www.rpctv.com/deportes/beisbol/Panama-Mundial-U18-China-Taipei_0_1277572521.html |access-date=16 January 2023 |publisher=RPC-TV |date=30 August 2019 |language=es}} Cheng was named to the Taiwanese national team roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Chi-fang |last2=Chao |first2=Yen-hsiang |title=Former MLB infielder Yu Chang listed on Taiwan WBC team roster |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202301130015 |access-date=16 January 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=13 January 2023}} Over the course of the tournament, he batted for a .333 (5-for-15) batting average as a leadoff hitter{{cite news |last1=Crouse |first1=Jake |title=Breaking down the Bucs' Rule 5 protections |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braxton-ashcraft-tsung-che-cheng-protected-by-pirates |access-date=February 4, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=November 15, 2023}} and drove in three runs.{{cite news |last1=Yen |first1=William |title=Taiwan outplayed 12-5 by Panama in World Baseball Classic first game |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202303080027 |access-date=13 March 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=8 March 2023 |quote=However, Panama surged again with another six runs in the top of the six frame to bring the score to 11-1 before Taiwan secured its second run in the bottom of the sixth inning when second baseman Cheng Tsung-che (鄭宗哲) singled on a sharp line drive for Kungkuan Giljegiljaw to score.}}{{cite news |last1=Yen |first1=William |title=WBC/Taiwan wins thriller against Italy at World Baseball Classic |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202303100024 |access-date=13 March 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=10 March 2023 |quote=Taiwan tied the game in the bottom of the second inning when second baseman Cheng Tsung-che (鄭宗哲) singled on a ground ball to the right field for teammate Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) to make it 2-2.}}{{cite news |last1=Yen |first1=William |title=Yu Chang grand slam gives Taiwan chance to advance in WBC |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202303120001 |access-date=13 March 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=12 March 2023 |quote=Taiwan responded in the bottom of the inning on a Chiang Kun-yu sacrifice fly that scored catcher Kungkuan Giljegiljaw and a gorgeous drag bunt base hit down the first-base line by Cheng Tsung-che (鄭宗哲) that sent Chen Chieh-hsien (鄭宗哲) home to put Taiwan ahead 7-2.}} Later that year, Cheng appeared in the postponed 2022 Asian Games, competing in five baseball games, batting .318/.455/.348 in 22 at-bats,{{cite news |title=CHENG Tsung-Che |url=https://www.wbscasia.org/en/events/xix-asian-games-2022-mens-baseball/teams/27945/players/338300 |access-date=4 February 2024 |publisher=World Baseball Softball Confederation Asia}} and winning a silver medal with Taiwan. Cheng was named to Taiwan's preliminary roster for the World Baseball Classic 2025 Qualifiers,{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Chi-fang |last2=Kao |first2=Evelyn |title=National baseball team opens training for WBC qualifiers |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202502030018 |access-date=12 February 2025 |agency=Central News Agency |date=3 February 2025 |quote=Of the nine players on the training roster who play overseas, eight are pitchers, including Zhuang Chen Zhong-ao (莊陳仲敖), Sun Yi-lei (孫易磊), Lin Sheng-en (林盛恩) and Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸), while Cheng Tsung-che (鄭宗哲) is an infielder.}} but later withdrew.{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Chi-fang |last2=Lee |first2=Hsin-Yin |title=Lyle Lin withdraws from WBC qualifiers |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202502110010 |access-date=12 February 2025 |agency=Central News Agency |date=11 February 2025 |quote=In addition to Lin, infielder Cheng Tsung-che (鄭宗哲) has also withdrawn from the initial 36-player training roster, Tsai said.}}

Cheng is known by the nickname "Z" because the pinyin of the three Chinese characters in his name, {{transliteration|zh|ISO|Zhèng Zōng Zhé}}, all start with the letter Z. However, the actual romanization of his name uses the Wade–Giles system.{{cite news |last1=Chang |first1=Yen-hsiang |last2=Lin |first2=Hans |title=BASEBALL/Cheng Tsung-che called up by Pittsburgh Pirates |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202504080008 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |agency=Central News Agency |date=April 8, 2025}} Republished as: {{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Sam |title=Pittsburgh Pirates promote Taiwanese baseball player Cheng Tsung-che to MLB squad |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2025/04/08/2003834835 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |work=Taipei Times |date=April 8, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://udn.com/news/story/6999/8609481|title=鄭宗哲秀英文自我介紹 綽號「Z」由來因Google賜名「ZZZ」|work=United Daily News|language=zh|date=15 March 2025|access-date=10 April 2025}} He is married to Irene.{{cite news |last1=Stumpf |first1=Alex |title='Oh, it's true': Cheng salvages wife's birthday with MLB callup |url=https://www.mlb.com/pirates/news/tsung-che-cheng-called-up-to-majors-for-first-time |access-date=April 8, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=April 7, 2025}}

{{reflist|30em}}

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Category:2001 births

Category:Living people

Category:Altoona Curve players

Category:Asian Games silver medalists in baseball

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Category:Asian Games baseball players for Chinese Taipei

Category:Baseball players at the 2022 Asian Games

Category:Bradenton Marauders players

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Category:Florida Complex League Pirates players

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Category:Major League Baseball players from Taiwan

Category:Medalists at the 2022 Asian Games

Category:Sportspeople from Pingtung County

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Category:21st-century Taiwanese sportsmen

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