The Pirates on Tuesday announced the signing of 18-year-old right-handed pitcher Hai-Cheng Gong as a non-drafted free agent.
Gong has pitched in the Chinese Development Academy and will start out playing with the Gulf Coast League Pirates, the team's rookie level affiliate in Bradenton, Fla. Gong played for Team China in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and made one scoreless appearance.
According to Major League Baseball, Gong is the first pitching prospect and second player trained in MLB’s development centers in China to sign with an MLB team.
Sarah K. Spencer: sspencer@post-gazette.com