Pirates All 40: Tsung-Che Cheng Debuts But Future in Doubt After Disappointing Season
This is one in a series breaking down players on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.
The highlight of Tsung-Che Cheng’s 2025 season was making his MLB debut on April 9 against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park. Cheng played in three games prior to being optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis and went hitless in seven at-bats.
Outside of his brief stint in the big leagues, Cheng spent most of the season with Indianapolis where he had the worst statistical season of his professional career.
The 24-year-old compiled a lowly .209/.307/.271 batting line with 12 doubles, three triples, only one home run, 36 RBI and 18 stolen bases. It was a major disappointment for Cheng, who peaked as high as No. 9 on the Pirates’ top 30 prospects list by MLB Pipeline in 2024.
For much of his career, Cheng relied on a combination of speed, defense and the ability to get on base to elevate himself as one of the better prospects in the organization.
After solid showings in the first two seasons of his professional career between 2021-22, Cheng lit up High-A Greensboro to begin the 2023 season. He was promoted to Double-A Altoona later that season but couldn’t replicate the same success he had in the hitter-friendly South Atlantic League.
Cheng’s troubles in Double-A went beyond the 2023 season. He again struggled with Altoona in 2024 but the Pirates promoted him to Indianapolis late in the season anyway.
Cheng’s struggles hit a precipice this season, leaving his future with the Pirates in doubt given that he’s been trending downward the last couple years.
The Pirates have already seen major turnover on their 40-man roster this offseason. Considering they’re expected to be active this winter, Cheng doesn’t seem likely to make it to Bradenton for spring training unless as a non-roster invitee.
Still in search of his first big-league hit, that opportunity will probably have to come elsewhere.
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