Tsung-Che Cheng Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1494
AVG	.258
OBP	.357
SLG	.404
HR	34

Full name Tsung-Che Cheng
Born 07/26/2001 in Pingtung County, Taiwan
Profile Ht.: 5'7" / Wt.: 154 / Bats: L / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.

Track Record: Cheng signed out of Taiwan in 2019 for $380,000 and the pandemic delayed his debut to 2021. His performance in the lower levels piqued the Pirates’ attention, as he hit .270 or above in both 2022 and 2023 while reaching Double-A Altoona. Pittsburgh added Cheng to its 40-man roster entering 2024, but he fell short of expectations in a return to Altoona, slashing .218/.320/.341 through 126 games before a brief Triple-A cameo.

Scouting Report: Cheng has solid contact skills and bat control, and his strong understanding of the strike zone leads to sound and patient swing decisions. But his lack of impact has limited his production in Double-A so far. He’s another example of a contact-oriented Pirates infielder seeking the right balance in his approach as he tries to tap into a bit more power. That approach waned at times in 2024, leading to more swing-and-miss than expected given his previous feel for contact. Cheng is Pittsburgh’s most reliable infield defender with the actions, range and arm accuracy to handle shortstop in the long run. He’s comfortable moving across the keystone to second base, and could likely handle some third base, as well.

The Future: A better 2024 season could’ve put Cheng in position to challenge for playing time in Pittsburgh given his 40-man roster status and the club’s limited internal shortstop options. Expect him to return to Triple-A Indianapolis to start 2025.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Cheng was signed out of Taiwan in 2019 but didn’t make his official pro debut until 2021, when the minor leagues resumed following the canceled 2020 season. He moved a level a year in 2021 and 2022--first in the Florida Complex League and then at Low-A--before kicking it into overdrive in 2023, when he split the season between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. At both stops, Cheng showed his signature mix of contact, speed and a smattering of power. His overall numbers were boosted by the hitter-friendly atmosphere at Greensboro, but two strong months at Double-A lent credence to his level of skill.

Scouting Report: Cheng’s game is built around contact, which shows up in person and in batted-ball data. Scouts report a player with excellent bat control, and he finished the year with respective overall and zone miss rates of 21.6% and 15.8%. He doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard, but he has just enough thump to shoot balls from gap to gap and let his plus speed play on the basepaths. Internal evaluators would like him to narrow his approach to center more around pitches he can damage rather than simply putting the bat on the ball. Cheng must also improve against lefthanders, who carved him during his time at Double-A. He’s a slick, twitchy defender at shortstop with more than enough arm for the position, but he also moved over to second base for 40 games to help increase his versatility. That could come in handy considering the glut of potential middle infielders in the Pirates organization.

The Future: Cheng will likely return to Double-A to begin 2024 and should finish the year on the precipice of the big leagues. He’s one of the system’s sneakier hitting prospects and could be a player who finds everyday time and provides value on both sides of the ball.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Cheng enjoyed a breakout 2022 campaign with Low-A Bradenton, three years after Pittsburgh signed him as a 17-year-old via Taiwan for $380,000. Cheng, who goes by the nickname Z, led all Pirates minor leaguers with 33 steals and was among qualified Florida State League leaders in batting average (.270) and doubles (25). He was named to the league's all-star team and also named the Pirates' minor league baserunner of the year.

Scouting Report: Cheng marries a line-drive approach with a simple lefthanded swing that accentuates his bat-to-ball skills and results in plenty of contact. There's a bit more power than some might expect considering his 5-foot-7 frame, but it will never be a focal point of his game. The Pirates lauded his pre-pitch preparation. His 20.7% strikeout rate was a bit higher than anticipated, but Cheng made subtle improvements to his plate discipline as the season progressed and his in-zone contact ability was strong. He also graded out as one of the Pirates' best infield defenders. He checks all the boxes at shortstop, showing good hands, range and an above-average throwing arm. Cheng's baseball IQ and meticulous preparation help enhance his skill set, even if he's not the most toolsy player.

The Future: The type of player coaches adore, Cheng has the makings of a super-utility type thanks to his defensive acumen and contact ability.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 30. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 55.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Cheng enjoyed a breakout 2022 campaign with Low-A Bradenton, three years after Pittsburgh signed him as a 17-year-old via Taiwan for $380,000. Cheng, who goes by the nickname Z, led all Pirates minor leaguers with 33 steals and was among qualified Florida State League leaders in batting average (.270) and doubles (25). He was named to the league's all-star team and also named the Pirates' minor league baserunner of the year.

Scouting Report: Cheng marries a line-drive approach with a simple lefthanded swing that accentuates his bat-to-ball skills and results in plenty of contact. There's a bit more power than some might expect considering his 5-foot-7 frame, but it will never be a focal point of his game. The Pirates lauded his pre-pitch preparation. His 20.7% strikeout rate was a bit higher than anticipated, but Cheng made subtle improvements to his plate discipline as the season progressed and his in-zone contact ability was strong. He also graded out as one of the Pirates' best infield defenders. He checks all the boxes at shortstop, showing good hands, range and an above-average throwing arm. Cheng's baseball IQ and meticulous preparation help enhance his skill set, even if he's not the most toolsy player.

The Future: The type of player coaches adore, Cheng has the makings of a super-utility type thanks to his defensive acumen and contact ability.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 30. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Cheng enjoyed a breakout 2022 campaign with Low-A Bradenton, three years after Pittsburgh signed him as a 17-year-old via Taiwan for $380,000. Cheng, who goes by the nickname Z, led all Pirates minor leaguers with 33 steals and was among qualified Florida State League leaders in batting average (.270) and doubles (25). He was named to the league's all-star team and also named the Pirates' minor league baserunner of the year.

Scouting Report: Cheng marries a line-drive approach with a simple lefthanded swing that accentuates his bat-to-ball skills and results in plenty of contact. There's a bit more power than some might expect considering his 5-foot-7 frame, but it will never be a focal point of his game. The Pirates lauded his pre-pitch preparation. His 20.7% strikeout rate was a bit higher than anticipated, but Cheng made subtle improvements to his plate discipline as the season progressed and his in-zone contact ability was strong. He also graded out as one of the Pirates' best infield defenders. He checks all the boxes at shortstop, showing good hands, range and an above-average throwing arm. Cheng's baseball IQ and meticulous preparation help enhance his skill set, even if he's not the most toolsy player.

The Future: The type of player coaches adore, Cheng has the makings of a super-utility type thanks to his defensive acumen and contact ability.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 30. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 55.

Career Transactions

Pittsburgh Pirates recalled SS Tsung-Che Cheng from Indianapolis Indians.
SS Tsung-Che Cheng assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve.
SS Tsung-Che Cheng assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers.
SS Tsung-Che Cheng assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers.
SS Tsung-Che Cheng assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Bradenton Marauders.
Chinese Taipei activated SS Tsung-Che Cheng.