Tsung-Che Cheng Bio
Tsung-Che Cheng is a Taiwanese professional baseball infielder who currently plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent in July 2019 and made his MLB debut with the Pirates in April 2025. Cheng became the 18th MLB player from Taiwan when he reached the major leagues. He has previously represented Chinese Taipei at the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup, the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and the postponed 2022 Asian Games, where he won a silver medal.
Early Life and Background
Tsung-Che Cheng was born on July 26, 2001, in Jiuru, Pingtung County, Taiwan. He was raised as the younger of two sons by his father, a truck driver, and his mother, a homemaker. Cheng began playing baseball around the age of five. He originally intended to become a pitcher and cited Chien-Ming Wang as his primary inspiration during his youth.
Cheng attended Pu-Men High School in Taiwan, where he developed into a versatile infielder. His performances at the high school level attracted attention from MLB scouts, setting the stage for his professional career.
Path to Professional Baseball
Shortly after signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cheng represented Chinese Taipei at the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup. This international tournament provided him with valuable experience on the global stage and helped showcase his abilities to professional scouts.
Cheng 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. He did not play in a game during the 2020 season due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tsung-Che Cheng Career
Minor League Development (2021–2024)
Cheng made his professional debut with the Florida Complex League Pirates in 2021, playing second base, third base, and shortstop throughout the season. After the minor league season ended, he played winter ball with the Caimanes de Barranquilla and won the 2022 Caribbean Series.
Cheng spent the 2022 season with the Bradenton Marauders, appearing in 104 games and hitting for a .270 batting average, .376 on-base percentage, and .794 on-base plus slugging percentage while scoring 79 runs. Of his 38 extra-base hits, seven were triples. His 33 stolen bases in 39 attempts led all minor leaguers within the Pirates organization. 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.
Triple-A and 40-Man Roster (2023–2024)
At the start of the 2023 regular season, Cheng ranked 30th on MLB Pipeline’s list of top Pirates prospects and was assigned to the Greensboro Grasshoppers. He played his first game at the Double-A level with the Altoona Curve on June 23, 2023. During the season, he set a career high in triples and was ranked as the 22nd best Pirates prospect by MLB Pipeline. On November 14, 2023, the Pirates added Cheng to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Prior to the start of the 2024 season, Cheng was ranked the 17th best Pirates prospect by MLB Pipeline. He was optioned to Double-A Altoona to begin the year. 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.
MLB Debut and Pittsburgh Pirates (2025)
Cheng was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the 2025 season. On April 7, 2025, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time following an injury to Jared Triolo. Two days later, Cheng made his major league debut against the St. Louis Cardinals and became the 18th MLB player from Taiwan. He made three appearances for Pittsburgh during his rookie campaign, going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts. Cheng was designated for assignment by the Pirates on December 19, 2025.
Boston Red Sox (2026–Present)
On January 8, 2026, Cheng was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was designated for assignment by the Rays on January 12. On January 16, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets, who designated him for assignment on January 21. On January 28, Cheng was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals. Following the acquisition of George Soriano two days later, the Nationals designated Cheng for assignment. On February 6, he was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.
Cheng was optioned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox to begin the regular season. He hit for the cycle on April 10, 2026, becoming the first player in Worcester Red Sox history to accomplish the feat. On June 26, 2026, Cheng was promoted to the major-league Red Sox and recorded his first major league hit (double), first RBI, and first walk against the New York Yankees.
Defensive Versatility and Strengths
Throughout his minor league career, Cheng has demonstrated flexibility across the infield, playing second base, third base, and shortstop. His offensive game has featured contact hitting, on-base ability, and baserunning prowess. He has shown extra-base power with a particular strength in triples, having led the Florida State League in that category during his 2022 season with Bradenton.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cheng’s career has been marked by several significant milestones. His MLB debut on April 9, 2025, established him as the 18th Taiwanese-born player to reach the majors. His cycle on April 10, 2026, with Worcester marked the first in franchise history. His promotion to Boston on June 26, 2026, resulted in his first major league hit, RBI, and walk against a storied opponent in the New York Yankees.
Tsung-Che Cheng International Career
Cheng has represented Chinese Taipei at multiple international tournaments. At the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup, he competed shortly after signing with the Pirates. He was named to the Taiwanese national team roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he batted .333 (5-for-15) as a leadoff hitter and drove in three runs. Later that year, Cheng appeared in the postponed 2022 Asian Games, competing in five baseball games and batting .318/.455/.348 in 22 at-bats, winning a silver medal with Taiwan.
Cheng was selected to play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. In the third game of the tournament, Cheng and teammate Stuart Fairchild each stole three bases, contributing to a single-game national team record of eight steals. With the conclusion of the 2026 WBC, Cheng led the tournament in steals with four.
Tsung-Che Cheng Family
Personal Life
Cheng is known by the nickname “Z” because the pinyin of the three Chinese characters in his name, Zhèng Zōng Zhé, all start with the letter Z. Cheng is married to Irene. The couple met in elementary school and began dating after high school.
2025 Season Performance
Cheng began the 2025 season with Triple-A Indianapolis before receiving his first major league promotion on April 7. His debut came two days later against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 9, marking his arrival in MLB after nearly six years in the Pirates organization. He appeared in three games during his initial stint with Pittsburgh, recording seven at-bats without a hit. Following the season, he was designated for assignment by the Pirates on December 19, initiating a series of waiver claims that would eventually lead him to Boston.