Shanghai teen set to showcase pitching prowess for Pittsburgh

When the Pittsburgh Pirates came calling, Gong Haicheng was thrilled to join their swashbuckling crew.

But a week after becoming the youngest graduate of China’s three MLB development centers to sign with a Major League Baseball club, the 18-year-old right-handed pitcher from Shanghai is still overwhelmed.

Known as “Sea,” Gong pitched for China at the World Baseball Classic in March, giving up one hit and recording an out in a 7-1 loss to Japan. He also threw 15 scoreless innings at the Asia U18 championship last fall in Taiwan, where he was named the tournament’s top right-hander.

“It’s difficult to describe,” Gong said of his diamond journey that culminated with signing a contract with the Pirates last week. “I only know I had to work hard and keep training in order to play at a higher level of baseball.

“My first exposure to the game was during primary school (Shanghai Gaodong Elementary School), when the MLB Play Ball! program came for a visit. My PE teacher recommended I try baseball. I started to love the interesting game and played pretty well before I was recruited by the development center at Changzhou Beijiao High School.”

Gong was awestruck about representing Team China at the World Baseball Classic in March.

“The WBC was a big stage, and I was a little taken back about seeing and meeting star players from around the world,” he said.

“By playing in such a big tournament, I improved my ability to cope with psychological pressure on a big stage. I also learned a lot from my senior teammates, who were very welcoming to me.”

Gong, who will report to Pittsburgh’s Pirate City complex in Bradenton, Florida, to begin his professional career with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Pirates, has made several trips to the United States, including a twomonth stint at the Blue Claws Baseball Academy in Lakewood, New Jersey, last fall.

All I can do is train hard and gain more experience in order to reach higher levels.” Gong Haicheng, after signing a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates

“I had the chance to see some minor league teams in the US. The players are only a year or two older than me, but I found their skill level much higher,” he said.

“All I can do is train hard and gain more experience in order to reach higher levels.”

Rick Dell, general manager of baseball development at MLB Asia, said Gong’s progression from the development center at Changzhou Beijiao High School is a glowing testament to the program’s success at both the athletic