Here’s a bold statement: the Tampa Bay Rays just added a player to their 40-man roster who could be the next underdog story in Major League Baseball. But here’s where it gets controversial—Tsung-Che Cheng, a Taiwanese infielder claimed from the Pirates, might just be the final piece of a puzzle that no one saw coming. Let’s break it down.
The Rays have officially claimed Cheng, filling the last spot on their 40-man roster. What’s fascinating is how he got here. Cheng was designated for assignment by the Pirates to make room for Brandon Lowe, essentially becoming the unexpected coda to a larger trade narrative. Signed in 2019 for $380,000, his professional debut was delayed until 2021 due to the pandemic. Despite a smooth entry into minor league baseball, Cheng hit a wall at Double-A in 2024. However, he’s been working on building strength to better handle high-velocity pitching, according to FanGraphs (https://blogs.fangraphs.com/pittsburgh-pirates-top-38-prospects/), which praises his fielding as nothing short of entertaining: ‘He’s acrobatic, creative, and plays with relentless effort, finding a way to make most plays.’
Cheng’s MLB debut came earlier than expected on April 9, 2025, when he was called up due to an injury to Jared Triolo. He became the 18th Taiwanese player in MLB history, though his stint was brief—just 3 games, going 0-for-7 with 3 strikeouts. After that short ‘cup of coffee,’ he spent most of the year with Triple-A Indianapolis (107 games) and a brief stint with High-A Bradenton. Across 110 minor league games, he slashed .207/.305/.267 with 1 home run, 36 RBI, 12 doubles, 3 triples, and 20 stolen bases (in 28 attempts). His strikeout rate was a concern at 24.9%, but he showed patience with an 11.8% walk rate.
And this is the part most people miss—Cheng’s potential isn’t just about his stats. If he can secure his spot on the 40-man roster, he could be a valuable injury replacement in the infield. But if not, he’s likely one of the most vulnerable players on the roster. Here’s the question: Is Cheng a diamond in the rough or just another player caught in the roster shuffle? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is one conversation that’s sure to spark debate.
