Red Sox Add Former Top 10 Prospect Infielder Before Spring Training

Tsung-Che Cheng, a 24-year-old middle infielder, was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox after being designated for assignment four times this offseason.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:55pm

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The Boston Red Sox have filled the final vacant spot on their 40-man roster by claiming 24-year-old middle infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers. Cheng, a former top 10 prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, has already been designated for assignment four times this offseason by the Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, and Washington Nationals. The Red Sox are hoping the Taiwan native can provide defensive depth in the infield as they head into spring training.

Why it matters

The Red Sox are looking to improve their infield defense after a disappointing 2022 season, and Cheng's strong defensive reputation at shortstop makes him an intriguing addition. However, his offensive struggles in the upper minors raise questions about whether he can stick on the 40-man roster long-term.

The details

Cheng, a 2019 international free agent signing by the Pirates, was once ranked as the team's No. 9 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, praised for his excellent defense at shortstop. However, his offensive production has declined in recent years, culminating in a .572 OPS and .207 batting average at Triple-A last season. Despite making his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2022, Cheng was designated for assignment four times this offseason before the Red Sox claimed him.

  • The Red Sox filled the final spot on their 40-man roster on February 7, 2026.
  • Cheng is set to represent Chinese Taipei in the World Baseball Classic starting on March 5, 2026.

The players

Tsung-Che Cheng

A 24-year-old middle infielder who was once a top 10 prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, known for his strong defensive skills at shortstop.

Craig Breslow

The Red Sox's chief baseball officer, who has stated a focus on improving the team's infield defense.

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What’s next

Whether Cheng will still have a spot on the Red Sox roster when he returns from the World Baseball Classic remains an open question.

The takeaway

The Red Sox are taking a low-risk flier on a former top prospect in Tsung-Che Cheng, hoping his strong defensive skills can bolster their infield depth, even as questions linger about his offensive production at the upper minor league levels.