"By the end of the 2023 season, he had climbed to Double-A. He found some offensive success with a low-power, low-strikeout approach. He was also considered a solid defender at either middle infield spot and showed a knack for stealing bases. Splitting 2023 between High-A and Double-A, he hit 13 home runs, swiped 26 bags, had a 9.7% walk rate and 18.7% strikeout rate. He slashed .278/.352/.456 for a 116 wRC+."
"The total package was enough that the Bucs added him to their 40-man roster that November to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. His offense declined over the past two years, with a combined .217/.319/.312 line and 81 wRC+. He drew walks at a strong 12.2% clip in that time but was also punched out in 23.8% of his plate appearances. He got to make his major league debut last year but went hitless in seven plate appearances with three strikeouts."
The Tampa Bay Rays claimed infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and added him to an open 40-man roster spot without making a corresponding move. Cheng, 24, was originally signed out of Taiwan in 2019 and reached Double-A by the end of 2023. He showed a low-power, low-strikeout approach with strong defense up the middle, hitting .278/.352/.456 with 13 home runs and 26 steals that year. His offense declined over the past two seasons to a combined .217/.319/.312 line and 81 wRC+, but he maintained a 12.2% walk rate and made a brief major league debut.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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