On Wednesday, CPBL Stats on X reported that Taiwanese second baseman Cheng Tsung-Che told Liberty Sports he would like to play for Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers.
According to MLB.com, Cheng is the No. 18 ranked prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system. The 23-year-old played 126 of his 132 games in 2024 with Double-A Altoona, hitting 11 home runs with 16 stolen bases in 23 attempts. Cheng’s success in Double-A earned him a brief promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he picked up six hits in 17 plate appearances.
Cheng’s international tournament experience includes representing Taiwan in the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup and the 2023 World Baseball Classic. What role could Cheng play for Chinese Taipei in the WBC Qualifiers?
“While Cheng has played shortstop, second, and even a little third, he is the best defensive shortstop in the (Pirates) system and should be able to stay there long term,” Cheng’s MLB.com prospect profile reads. “That’s where his value is, with an average but very accurate arm, excellent hands, and plenty of range. If the offensive gains in 2023 continue at the upper levels, he could be a big league regular at the premium position.”
Cheng became the first Taiwanese player to participate in and win a Caribbean Series championship in 2022 with the Caimaines de Barranquilla from the Liga Profesional de Bésibol in Colombia. The Caimanes defeated the Gigantes del Cibao of LIDOM 4-1 in the championship game and went 5-2 overall in the tournament.
“I don’t regret coming here to play winter ball, and I am grateful for the opportunity to develop myself further as a player,” Cheng told reporters about his time with the Caimanes de Barranquilla after the Caribbean Series.
In February, a Major League Baseball-ready shortstop like Cheng may be what Chinese Taipei needs to qualify for the 2026 WBC. Chinese Taipei will compete in the Taipei Qualification Pool from Feb. 21-25 at the newly opened Taipei Dome in Taipei, Taiwan, against Spain, South Africa, and Nicaragua. The top two teams will advance to the 2026 WBC.
