Heading into the start of Pirates spring training in February, Tsung-Che Cheng should be among the abundance of prospects getting a serious look at earning an opening day roster.
The field is packed. There’s no doubt about it. Pittsburgh will have many tough decisions to make this spring. There are multiple candidates for infield positions. Manager Derek Shelton and general manager Ben Cherington have their work cut out for them on who stays with the MLB club and who gets ticketed for Indianapolis.
Cheng may seem like a long shot to many when discussing who will be plugged into the Pirates’ roster in March. With more than a half dozen candidates looking for jobs, every opportunity in the Pirates’ exhibition games will matter heavily on who heads north for Opening Day.
Cheng, who signed with Pittsburgh in November 2019 as a non-drafted free agent, has steadily been building a case for himself to get more playing time this spring. During his four seasons in the Pirates’ minor league system, Cheng has moved up the ranks regularly. Beginning in 2021, the Taiwanese native excelled in the rookie-level Complex League. 2022 saw Cheng, a shortstop, be elevated to the Florida State Class-A Bradenton Marauders.
The 2023 season saw Cheng start with High-A Greensboro and be elevated to Double-A Altoona. This past season, Cheng, 2024 ranked as the Pirates’ seventh-best prospect by Baseball America, played 126 games for the Curve, then finished off with Triple-A Indianapolis Indians for six games.
Progress, for sure, is what the Pirates’ front office is seeing in Cheng’s performance on the diamond. Now, if he has a strong spring, maybe Cheng will be included in some blockbuster trade. With his trade value high, this could be the youngster’s ticket to the MLB.
Cheng’s competition for an infield spot is an uphill battle. Beginning in Bradenton come February, there are plenty of well qualified “kids” deserving a look-see. Nick Gonzales, 25, was a steady hand for the Pirates’ infield in 2024. Seeing action in 94 games and hitting .270, Gonzales must be a favorite in making Shelton’s final cut, come March.
Liover Peguero, 23, was called up to Pittsburgh at the end of the 2024 season, after spending the year as a starter with the International League Indianapolis Indians. His three-game audition with the Pirates in games against the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers wasn’t enough playing time to give an accurate reading on his skill set.
The 31-game exhibition schedule, beginning February 23 as the Pirates are on the road against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, could be the most competitive in years for middle infielders.
Jared Triolo, 26, filled in at third base most of last season, due to Ke’Bryan Hayes’ being on the injured list due to back issues. In 125 games, Triolo performed admirably in the field, but his .216 batting average needs to show significant improvement in 2025.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 29, came over to Pittsburgh in a July 30 trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. The veteran infielder put in 50 games with the Pirates positioned at shortstop and third base. A proven veteran, and swinging a reliable bat, currently, IKF is probably the only sure lock for a starting position.
While Alika Williams and Ji-Hwan Bae remain in the mix for roster spots, both seem destined for reserve positions, and possibly starting the 2025 season with Indianapolis.
Then, Billy Cook and Nick Yorke will surely be in the mix for Opening Day roster spots. Both were given auditions late last season and performed well.
It’s not going to be easy for Cheng to crack Shelton’s final 26-man roster in late March. Maybe starting the year with the Indians would be the most beneficial to his career at this stage. But his numbers remain impressive. So far, Cheng has collected 76 doubles, 18 triples, and 194 RBIs, in his four minor league seasons. These are the numbers that should improve the Pirates’ offense. Last season, by finishing 76-86 in the National League Central, Pittsburgh needs to be more of an offensive juggernaut.
Last spring, when speaking with Cheng, who has played for Chinese Taipei in the World Baseball Classic, he said his time in the minors reminds him to get better every day. He understands how important a strong effort is, with each workout and during each game.
Living more than a 22-hour flight from Pittsburgh, Cheng says by focusing on his goal; his dream to make it to the MLB, allows for him to forget about what and who he misses back home.
Cheng should make it interesting, from day one at Pirate City come February, on who stays and who is ticketed for elsewhere for the 2025 season. Earning a work address of 115 Federal Street in Pittsburgh isn’t out of the question this spring for Cheng.
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