Our Pirates Winter Report highlights one Pittsburgh Pirates prospect each week, then give brief notes from each country playing winter ball. This week we feature infielder Tsung-Che Cheng, who spent this off-season in Puerto Rico.
Tsung-Che Cheng had a successful winter in Colombia last year. He put up a .296/.389/.408 slash line during the regular winter season, then did well in the playoffs, before helping his team to a shocking victory in the Caribbean Series.
The Colombian winter league was perfect for him, because the competition level is about the same as Single-A ball, setting him up for his 2022 season with the Bradenton Marauders.
Cheng had a successful 2022 campaign in Bradenton. He batted .270/.376/.418 in 104 games this past season in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. His .795 OPS was 108 points above league average. He led the league in runs and triples, while finishing top ten in numerous other categories.
That performance didn’t carry over the winter ball this year, but there was a big difference in the talent level between last year and this year.
This year, Cheng went to Puerto Rico. It worked out that there was an opening in the infield of the Gigantes de Carolina after Nick Gonzales dropped out, following a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. The Pirates have a working agreement with that team, so Cheng stepped into his spot.
Puerto Rico was not as strong as usual this year, but the league was filled with players who have upper level experience, including numerous players with big league time. When he was in Colombia, Cheng was playing in a league with the average age of 25 years old, while he was 20 years old at the time. As a 21-year-old in Puerto Rico, he was in a league where the average pitcher was 27.6 years old.
If it was just age, that difference wouldn’t be a big deal. Puerto Rico had 15 pitchers in a six-team league with big league experience. Colombia had six total in 2021 — three were his teammates, while the other three pitched 13.1 innings combined over the winter.
All of that is necessary to look at before you see Cheng’s stats, because they were not impressive. Cheng finished the regular season with a .182/.270/.242 slash line in 74 plate appearances over 19 games. He went 3-for-16 with two walks in the first round of the playoff series. His team made the finals, where he went 0-for-3 with a walk in game one, then played two innings on defense in game two, before his season ended.
Cheng left his team during the finals to join his World Baseball Classic team. He was scheduled to leave, and the team had other infielders in place for him to depart. If you thought the league in Puerto Rico was a challenge for him, wait until he starts playing in the WBC against some of the best players in the world.
That match-up against older players makes for some great experience, according to Pirates Director of Coaching and Player Development John Baker.
“He is constantly challenging himself playing tough competition during the winter, and with Z (Cheng’s nickname) playing shortstop, his teams win,” Baker said. “He’s played in meaningful postseason competition at a really young age, and it shows in his composure on the field.”
Cheng isn’t just a bat-first prospect. He does everything on the field, adding value with his plus speed and solid defense. Baker has seen that value as Cheng continues to develop.
“Really impressed by Z’s knowledge of the game and his application of that knowledge,” Baker said. “He’s a complete player, who can beat you at the plate, on the bases, and on defense.”
Cheng appears headed to High-A Greensboro for the 2023 season, where you will likely see his name at the top of the lineup on a daily basis. This winter experience, as well as his time in the WBC, should help him transition well to the new level, as he faces more experienced pitchers.
Around the World
Puerto Rico
Two Pirates in Puerto Rico helped their team to a league title. They will soon play in the Caribbean Series.
Josh Palacios went 6-for-20, with a double, homer and three walks in six playoff games during the first round. He went 9-for-28, with seven runs scored in the seven games during the finals.
Chavez Young went 6-for-21 with a double, homer and four walks in six playoff games during the first round. He went 3-for-25 with three RBIs in the series.
Australia
Here are the final stats from Australia, which wrapped up play last Saturday. Their Sunday finale was wiped away by rain.
Sammy Siani hit .291/.353/.546 in 39 games. He finished 11th in the league in OPS. He tied for fifth with eight homers.
Jase Bowen batted .268/.329/.417 in 35 games. His OPS finished ten points above league average.
Ernny Ordonez hit .295/.338/.388 in 39 games. His OPS finished ten points below league average.
Dylan Shockley hit .220/.331/.358 in 36 games.
Jesus Castillo put up a .142/.230/.168 slash line in 34 games. He committed one error in 138 chances at shortstop.
Solomon Maguire batted .238/.282/.313 in 26 games.
We are going to have more reports from Australia in the next two weeks.
Colombia
Francisco Acuna will continue playing in the Caribbean Series, as his team won the league championship. He went 2-for-17 with a homer and two walks in five playoff games during the first round. He went 4-for-19 with a double, two RBIs and a walk in the finals.
