Pirates call up shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng, their No. 17 prospect, from Triple-A

The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted their No. 17 overall prospect, 23-year-old shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng, from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Cheng, who is with the Pirates ahead of their series-opening home game Monday night vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, would be in line to make his MLB debut.

Cheng’s promotion comes as the Pirates place fellow infielder Jared Triolo on the 10-day injured list because of lower back soreness.

Per manager Derek Shelton, Triolo’s back issues were the reason for his removal from Sunday’s lineup ahead of an eventual 5-4 extra-innings win over the New York Yankees.

A 2019 free agent signing out of Taiwan by the Pirates, Cheng primarily plays shortstop (271 career starts), as well as second (90) and occasionally third (13) base.

“Just defensively, how dynamic he is, I think we saw the full scope of it in spring training, regardless if he played second or short — he can really defend,” Shelton said. “He’s played some third a little bit in in the minor leagues.

“Losing (Triolo), we need someone to be able to play short as the backup and right now, we felt that (Cheng) fit us the best.”

At the plate, Cheng has gotten off to a slow start this year in Indianapolis, batting .071 (1 for 14) through five games played.

But during spring training, he impressed offensively, batting .353 with a homer, two doubles and two RBIs in 14 games.

In 2024, he spent the majority of the season with Double-A Altoona, slashing .218/.320/.341 with 11 home runs, 19 doubles and 54 RBIs in 126 games.

Cheng was promoted to Triple-A in mid-September and appeared in six games for the Indians, where he had six hits in 13 at-bats (.462).

In 402 minor-league games, Cheng is a career .260 hitter, with 34 homers, 194 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .359%.

The 5-foot-8 Cheng bats left-handed and throws right-handed.