Kai-Wei Teng

In this Taiwanese name, the surname is Teng.
Kai-Wei Teng
Teng with the Minnesota Twins in 2018
San Francisco Giants
Pitcher
Born: (1998-12-01) December 1, 1998 (age 26)
Taichung, Taiwan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 31, 2024, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average9.82
Strikeouts7
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Chinese Taipei
Asian Baseball Championship
Gold medal – first place 2019 Team

Kai-Wei Teng (Chinese: 鄧愷威; Wade–Giles: Teng4 Kai3-wei1; born December 1, 1998) is a Taiwanese professional baseball pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2024.

Early life and education

Teng attended Shi Yuan Senior High School in Taichung before transferring to Kao-Yuan Vocational High School of Technology & Commerce in Kaohsiung. He enrolled at the National Taiwan Sport University.[1]

Career

Minnesota Twins

On October 20, 2017, the Minnesota Twins signed Teng for a $500,000 signing bonus.[2] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Twins in 2018, making 10 appearances (9 starts) and posting a 3.59 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 42+2⁄3 innings pitched.[3]

He began the 2019 season with the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single–A Midwest League, and was named the league's pitcher of the week for the week ending July 14.[4] In 9 games for Cedar Rapids, Teng logged a 4–0 record and 1.60 ERA.

San Francisco Giants

On July 31, 2019, the Twins traded Teng, Jaylin Davis, and Prelander Berroa to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Sam Dyson.[5] He made five starts for the Single–A Augusta GreenJackets, recording a 1.55 ERA with 39 strikeouts across 39+2⁄3 innings of work. Teng did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

On June 2, 2021, while pitching for the High–A Eugene Emeralds, he was suspended for 10 games after umpires found a foreign substance in his glove.[7] In 21 starts for Eugene, Teng recorded a 4.33 ERA with 142 strikeouts in 95+2⁄3 innings of work.[8] Teng spent the 2022 season with the Double–A Richmond Flying Squirrels, making 28 starts and registering a 6–12 record and 5.22 ERA with a career–high 169 strikeouts in 136+1⁄3 innings pitched.[9]

Teng began the 2023 season back with Double–A Richmond, starting 12 games and posting a 4.75 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 47+1⁄3 innings of work.[10] On June 18, 2023, he was promoted to the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats.[11] In 17 games (16 starts) for Sacramento, Teng logged a 6–5 record and 4.22 ERA with 96 strikeouts across 76 innings pitched.

On November 14, 2023, the Giants added Teng to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[12][13] He spent some time in major league spring training,[14] and was optioned to Triple–A Sacramento to begin the 2024 season.[15] On March 29, 2024, Teng was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[16][17] Teng made his major league debut in relief of Daulton Jefferies, pitching three innings while yielding four hits and three runs.[18][19] In 4 games during his rookie campaign, he struggled to a 9.82 ERA with 7 strikeouts over 11 innings of work. Teng was designated for assignment by San Francisco on November 19.[20] On November 22, the Giants non–tendered Teng, making him a free agent.[21]

On November 29, 2024, Teng re–signed with the Giants organization on a minor league contract.[22]

International career

Teng played for the Taiwanese national team (Chinese Taipei) in the 2019 Asian Baseball Championship, pitching in the gold medal game against Japan, which Taiwan won.[23] He is included on their roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[24]

References

  1. ^ Luo, Chih-peng (December 22, 2017). "MLB》追隨胡智為腳步挑戰大聯盟 鄧愷威夢想成真". Liberty Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "More than a translator: Cedar Rapids Kernels pitcher Kai-Wei Teng has mentor, friend in 'Jay'". The Gazette. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Kai-Wei Teng - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Pantini, Andrew (July 15, 2019). "Kai-Wei Teng named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week". MiLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Velle, La (August 1, 2019). "Twins pick up Giants reliever Sam Dyson at trade deadline". Startribune.com. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  6. ^ Adler, David (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "Giants pitching prospect Kai-Wei Teng suspended for 10 games". NBC Sports Bay Area. June 2, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  8. ^ Dodson, Joe (June 10, 2022). "Taiwanese pitcher feeling at home with Flying Squirrels". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "Kai-Wei Teng Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  10. ^ "Giants' Kai-Wei Teng: Promoted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  11. ^ "SF Giants promote Taiwanese pitching prospect to Triple-A Sacramento". si.com. June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  12. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (November 16, 2023). "Keep an eye on these prospects added to 40-man rosters". MLB.com. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  13. ^ Brisbee, Grant (November 14, 2023). "Giants 40-man roster: Why Kai-Wei Teng, Trevor McDonald and Erik Miller were added". The Athletic. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  14. ^ Webeck, Evan (February 14, 2024). "SF Giants spring training injury updates: 2 young pitchers sidelined before camp begins". Mercury News. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  15. ^ "Monday's Transactions". Associated Press. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024. Republished by the San Diego Union-Tribune
  16. ^ "Taiwan's Teng Kai-wei gets call from the Giants". Taipei Times. March 31, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  17. ^ Lin, Hung-han; Ko, Lin (March 30, 2024). "BASEBALL/Taiwanese pitcher Teng Kai-wei called up by MLB's Giants". Central News Agency. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  18. ^ Guardado, Maria (March 31, 2024). "Giants eager to see Snell boost rotation". MLB.com. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  19. ^ Lin, Hans; Chao, Yen-hsiang (April 1, 2024). "BASEBALL/Teng Kai-wei receives gift from idol Yu Darvish after MLB debut". Central News Agency. Retrieved April 3, 2024. Republished as: "Taiwanese pitcher Teng makes debut". Taipei Times. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  20. ^ "Giants Designate Kai-Wei Teng For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  21. ^ Guardado, Maria (November 22, 2024). "Yaz in the fold for 2025; SF non-tenders two". San MLB.com. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  22. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-11-29
  23. ^ "Taiwan beats Japan 5-4 in baseball in Asian Baseball Championship finals". Taiwan News. October 21, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  24. ^ "Former MLB infielder Yu Chang listed on Taiwan WBC team roster". Focustaiwan.tw. Retrieved January 30, 2023.