Taiwanese Baseball Star Cheng Tsung-che's Dream Realized: Called Up to the Pittsburgh Pirates!

A New Era Dawns for Taiwanese Baseball as Cheng Tsung-che Makes His Major League Debut.

Taipei, Taiwan – Baseball fans across Taiwan are celebrating as Cheng Tsung-che (鄭宗哲) has been called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking a significant milestone for Taiwanese baseball in 2025. This exciting news positions him as the first Taiwanese player to reach the majors this year, igniting hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes.

The Pirates announced the promotion on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), stating, "We have recalled [infielder] Tsung-Che Cheng from Triple-A Indianapolis and placed INF Jared Triolo on the 10-day injured list."

An emotional Cheng, known as "Z" within the Pirates organization, expressed his joy in an introductory video released by the franchise, saying, "I [was] really excited when I got the call. It's kind of like a dream come true." His jersey number will be 71.

This call-up represents a monumental leap for the Pirates' No. 17 prospect, coming nearly five years after he began his professional journey in the Rookie Leagues in July 2021. Cheng's arrival makes him the 18th Taiwanese player to ever compete in the major leagues, adding to the rich history of Taiwanese baseball.

The most recent Taiwanese player to make it to the majors was Teng Kai-wei (鄧愷威), who had a four-game stint with the San Francisco Giants before being demoted. He is currently with the Giants' Triple-A team.

While the Pirates' decision may seem somewhat swift, given Cheng's limited experience at the Triple-A level (11 games), the move is likely driven by the team's needs. Cheng has demonstrated exceptional talent during spring training, showcasing his skills and potential.

Injuries to key infielders, including second baseman Nick Gonzales and utility player Jared Triolo, as well as Nick Yorke, the team's No. 5 prospect, have created a need for versatile players like Cheng.

Cheng, 23, who bats left and throws right, has impressed with his performance. During spring training, he recorded six hits, including a home run and two doubles, in 17 at-bats over 14 games, achieving a .353 batting average.

Furthermore, his ability to play multiple infield positions effectively has distinguished him from other potential call-up candidates. As noted by Alex Stumpf, Cheng’s fielding tool is rated a 65, the highest among the Pirates' Top 30 prospects.

"I think we saw the full scope of it in spring training," Pirates manager Derek Shelton was quoted by Stumpf as saying.

"Regardless if he played second or short, he can really defend. He's played some third, a little bit in the minor leagues. With losing Triolo, we needed someone who could play short as the backup. We felt he fit us the best," Shelton said.

For the moment, Cheng is expected to play a bench role. He did not appear in Monday's 8-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Following the series opener, the Pirates (4-7) are currently positioned fourth in the National League Central division.