(Original title: Zhang Mingxuan signed with the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates to start a new journey in professional baseball)
On January 23, 2026, at the Shenzhen Zhongshan Park Baseball Stadium, Zhang Mingxuan, an 18-year-old boy from Beijing and an outstanding graduate of the MLB Development Center (DC), officially signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball, taking the first critical step in his professional baseball career. Zhang Mingxuan is the second player from mainland China signed by the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates, and the ninth young player trained by MLB DC to sign with a Major League Baseball team. This signing is another successful confirmation of MLB DC’s systematic training system.
Under the watchful eyes of the guests present, Jiang Chengyou, chief assistant to the vice president of the International Scouting Department of the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates, and Zhang Mingxuan jointly signed the signature, marking the historic moment for this Chinese teenager to enter the world’s top baseball hall. Later, Jiang Chengyou put on an MLB Pittsburgh Pirates cap for Zhang Mingxuan and awarded him a jersey. This simple and solemn signing ceremony marked that Zhang Mingxuan officially became a member of the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates team system, and the blueprint of his career began.
Jiang Chengyou and Zhang Mingxuan signed the contract and took a group photo
“This is just the beginning,” Zhang Mingxuan said in his speech. “I am very grateful to all the coaches of MLB DC and the opportunity given to me by the Pirates. I know there are many challenges ahead, but I am ready.” It is reported that he will first enter the minor league system of the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates, starting from the basic level, and moving towards the ultimate goal of standing on the pitching mound of the major leagues.
Jiang Chengyou, chief assistant to the vice president of the International Scouting Department of the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates, said: “Zhang Mingxuan’s rare physical talent, technical research spirit and excellent self-management ability were the keys to our decision to sign him. The Pirates have a complete training system, and we will develop a systematic development plan for him and look forward to his rapid growth.”
Jiang Chengyou and Zhang Mingxuan were interviewed by reporters
Through in-depth cultivation, MLB DC’s talent training system has accumulated a solid foundation
Zhang Mingxuan’s successful signing adds further fruit to MLB’s long-term development of the youth training system in China. As a benchmark for training young baseball talents in China, MLB DC has cultivated a total of 182 outstanding graduates, 112 of whom have entered 64 domestic and foreign universities to continue their studies. 40 players have played for the Chinese Baseball League (CNBL), and 9 players have successfully signed with MLB clubs.
Through the deep integration of professional training and academic studies, MLB DC empowers students in all aspects and polishes their professional qualities and global vision. This professional and systematic talent training model has opened up a new and sustainable growth path for Chinese young players, and continues to consolidate the cornerstone of Chinese baseball on the world stage.
Use science, self-discipline and data to carve out talent
In 2019, Zhang Mingxuan attracted the attention of the MLB DC coaching staff with his excellent static physical talent (height and wingspan potential) and excellent communication skills during the MLB Play Ball! Youth League (now MLB CUP Youth Baseball Open) event held in Beijing. Starting from his interest in elementary school, he received six years of systematic professional training at MLB DC. While ensuring his studies, he gradually moved closer to the standards of a professional player.
Since the age of 15, Zhang Mingxuan has entered the scouting field of MLB Pittsburgh Pirates scouts. In view of his initial shortcomings such as low weight and unstable pitching mechanism, under the guidance of MLB DC’s coaching staff, he optimized his own conditions through scientific weight gain and technology-assisted training. While improving his physique, he increased the ball speed from about 130 kilometers per hour (81mph) to about 146 kilometers per hour (91mph). At the 2026 “MLB DC Scouting Day” in Changzhou, he conquered the Pirates scouts with his good performance in two scoreless innings.
The game kicks off, and the fire is passed from generation to generation.
The venue for this signing ceremony was chosen at the Shenzhen Zhongshan Park Baseball Stadium, the main venue of the 2026 CPB China Baseball City League (Beginning of Spring League). The match that day was between Shenzhen Blue Sox and Fuzhou Haixia. After the signing ceremony, Zhang Mingxuan threw the opening pitch for the game, and the receiver was Gong Haicheng, a young player who also graduated from MLB DC and was signed by the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017. He currently plays for the CPB Shanghai Chia-Da Dragons. One shot after another means a relay of fire, adding a unique footnote to the starting point of Zhang Mingxuan’s career.
Zhang Mingxuan kicks off the CPB Beginning of Spring League
Since its start on New Year’s Day this year, the CPB Beginning of Spring League has created a new round of baseball buzz in the country. As one of the founding clubs of CPB, the Shenzhen Blue Sox Club fully recognizes the youth training system of MLB DC and has established a strategic partnership with MLB DC for the CPB Beginning of Spring League, aiming to jointly help consolidate the talent base of Chinese baseball through the joint construction of participating teams.
For Zhang Mingxuan, this contract is not only the most tangible reward for his talent and sweat, but also the beginning of his professional athlete career. This “206 boy” who loves to play allegro and has an active mind is about to travel across the ocean with his vision for the future. His emergence can be described as a vivid epitome of MLB DC’s long-term systematic talent training strategy. Every step of his growth will also be a signpost for those who come after him, continuing to inspire and verify a path that can be followed from a Chinese campus to the world’s top baseball stage.
