The Pittsburgh Pirates added some international height to their organization.
On Friday, they officially signed Chinese right-handed pitcher Mingxuan Zhang to their organization, according to insider Francys Romero.
Zhang is 6-foot-7.
He's also the first China-born player to sign in an international signing period since Zimo Qin in 2021-22, according to Romero.
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Zhang is 17 years old, with players eligible to begin signing during the international period when they turn 16.
There's footage now circulating from 2023 when Zhang had a nightmare outing in a Perfect Game showcase:
【参考】覚醒前の張銘軒（Zhang Mingxuan）の投球映像とトライアウト成績
— 刘浩宇-1.8 (@Polandball_2004) January 16, 2026
「俺は打者14人に対し被安打2、四死球12だった」←この状態から突如覚醒して契約勝ち取ってんのいくらなんでもおもろすぎる pic.twitter.com/MqcgtA5x4i
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It hasn't been announced how much of their international signing pool the Pirates are spending here, but they already signed a few top-50 prospects in this class to sizable deals, so it's likely not a huge chunk of bonus money for Zhang.
It's still a cool opportunity for the lanky pitcher, and he remains so young that the Pirates surely believe they can develop his lanky frame into a useful pitcher down the road.
Time is certainly on Pittsburgh's side as Zhang joins their organization.
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