Hao-Chun Cheng

From BR Bullpen

Hao-Chun Cheng (鄭浩均)

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 6' 3", Weight 214 lb.

BR register page

Biographical Information[edit]

Hao-Chun Cheng has pitched in the minors and the CPBL.

Cheng represented Taiwan in the 2012 U-15 Baseball World Cup, 2018 World University Championship and 2018 U-23 Baseball World Cup. In the U-23 Cup, Cheng started against Mexico in the first day, but he allowed 2 runs and was relieved by Liang-Chi Chen in the 2nd inning. He then shined on Day 6, when he pitched 9 innings against the Dominican Republic, only allowing one run and collecting 8 strikeouts and got the win. The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cheng in 2019 for a $200,000 signing bonus. Cheng didn't played any games due to the Coronavirus in 2020 (which caused the cancellation of minor league baseball).

He made his professional debut on July 3, 2021 with the ACL Dodgers, when he relieved Heisell Baro and pitched 2 shutout inning against the ACL Indians. He recorded a 5.40 ERA in 8 1/3 innings with the Dodgers in 2021. He then made the roster of Taiwan for the 2021 U-23 Baseball World Cup. The Taitung native pitched 1 1/3 innings with a run allowed against Cuba, then had a shutout inning against the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers released Cheng on March 15, 2022, and he was signed by the Lake County Dockhounds. Cheng allowed 19 runs in 16 1/3 innings pitched, then he decided to leave the team and join the CPBL.

The CTBC Brothers drafted Cheng in the first round of the 2022 CPBL Draft, and he made his CPBL debut on September 24, 2021. He pitched 4 1/3 innings against the Fubon Guardians, allowed a run and struck out 4. That was the only appearance for Cheng in the 2022 season. On May 19, 2023, Cheng pitched 6 1/3 hitless innings, and began the first combined no-hitter in the CPBL's history, finished by his teammates Jung-Hao Hsieh, Chun-Wei Wu and Yen-Ching Lu. He ended up 9-5 with a 3.02 ERA in 2023. His 110 strikeouts were the most by a Brothers rookie. He ranked 5th in wins (4 behind Drew Gagnon) and 4th in strikeouts (40 behind Gagnon). Cheng represented Taiwan in the 2022 Asian Games (held in 2023 after delays from COVID-19), and he pitched 4 innings with an unearned run allowed while struck out 5 against China; Po-Yu Chen relieved him. He was named the CPBL Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately, Cheng underwent Tommy John surgery and he would missed the entire 2024 season.

Cheng returned in 2025, and he went 5-1 with a 1.49 ERA in 11 starts. He then represented Taiwan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He started against Japan, and he gave up a leadoff double to Shohei Ohtani. Cheng then retired Kensuke Kondo, fanned Seiya Suzuki and walked Masataka Yoshida. Cheng struck out another big leaguer Kazuma Okamoto to escape the jam, but he then had problems in the next inning. He walked Munetaka Murakami, gave up a single to Shugo Maki and plunked Sosuke Genda. When the bases were loaded, Cheng forced Kenya Wakatsuki to hit a pop-up to the catcher, but Ohtani then crushed a grand slam. Cheng allowed another two walks and 2 runs, and Japan knocked out Taiwan in 7 innings. He took the loss to Yoshinobu Yamamoto. His 8 runs allowed and 8 earned runs allowed both tied Eric Pardinho for second in the 2026 WBC, one behind Jan Novák.

On April 21, 2026, Cheng completed 7 hitless innings against the Uni-President Lions. Lu and C.C. Lee relieved him, and they completed the second combined no-hitter in CPBL history. Coincidentally, the first combined no-hitter was also started by Cheng.

Cheng's repertoire features a fastball that peaks at 97 mph, a slider, curveball, forkball and changeup.

Sources[edit]

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