Ryan Weiss Explained

Ryan Weiss
Team:Hanwha Eagles
Number:55
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:10 December 1996
Birth Place:South Elgin, Illinois
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:CPBL
Debutdate:August 18
Debutyear:2023
Debutteam:Fubon Guardians
Debut2league:KBO
Debut2date:June 25
Debut2year:2024
Debut2team:Hanwha Eagles
Statyear:2023 season
Statleague:CPBL
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:4-1
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:2.32
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:25
Stat2year:August 16, 2024
Stat2league:KBO
Stat21label:Win–loss record
Stat21value:2–3
Stat22label:Earned run average
Stat22value:3.88
Stat23label:Strikeouts
Stat23value:53
Teams:

Ryan Weiss (born December 10, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League. He has previously played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Fubon Guardians.

Amateur career

Weiss attended South Elgin High School in South Elgin, Illinois.[1] In 2015, his senior year, he went 6–3 with a 2.12 ERA over innings.[2] As a high schooler, his fastball reached only 84mph. He originally signed to play college baseball at Elgin Community College, but switched his commitment to Wright State University in June 2015.[3]

Weiss redshirted his freshman year at Wright State in 2016. In 2017, as a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 15 games (14 starts) in which he compiled a 2.13 ERA with eighty strikeouts over innings and was named the Horizon League Freshman of the Year alongside earning All-American honors.[4] By the end of his freshman season, his fastball had risen to 95mph. That summer, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[5] In 2018, he pitched to a 3.40 ERA over 98 innings.[6] After the season's end, he was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[7] [8]

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

After signing, Weiss made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona League Diamondbacks before being promoted to the Hillsboro Hops of the Low–A Northwest League. Over innings, he compiled a 3.86 ERA.[9] Weiss began the 2019 season with the Single–A Midwest League Kane County Cougars and was later promoted to the Visalia Rawhide of the High–A California League, pitching innings to an 8–7 record and a 4.07 ERA over 26 starts between both teams.[10]

He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] In 2021, Weiss began the year with the Amarillo Sod Poodles of the Double-A Central and was promoted to the Reno Aces of the Triple-A West in July.[12] [13] Over 34 appearances (eight starts) between the two clubs, Weiss went 6–3 with a 4.60 ERA and 88 strikeouts over innings.[14]

On November 19, 2021, the Diamondbacks selected Weiss' contract and added him to their 40-man roster.[15] He opened the 2022 season with Amarillo and was promoted to Reno in late May. On June 26, he was designated for assignment following the promotion of Dallas Keuchel.[16]

Kansas City Royals

On July 1, 2022, Weiss was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals and optioned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers.[17] In 30 games out of the bullpen for Omaha, Weiss registered a 2–2 record and 7.82 ERA with 34 strikeouts in innings pitched. Following the season, on October 26, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple–A.[18]

Weiss was assigned to Triple–A Omaha to begin the 2023 season. In 12 appearances, he struggled to a 7.07 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 14.0 innings of work. Weiss was released by the Royals organization on May 20, 2023.[19]

High Point Rockers

On June 6, 2023, Weiss signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[20] He made 9 starts for the Rockers, posting a 5–3 record and 4.61 ERA with 52 strikeouts in innings pitched. On July 29, Weiss was released by High Point.[21]

Fubon Guardians

On August 3, 2023, Weiss signed with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).[22] In 5 starts for the Guardians, he registered a 4–1 record and 2.32 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 31 innings. Weiss became a free agent following the season.

High Point Rockers (second stint)

On April 15, 2024, Weiss signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[23] In 9 starts for the Rockers, Weiss compiled a 3–4 record and 4.34 ERA with 73 strikeouts across innings of work.

Hanwha Eagles

On June 16, 2024, Weiss' contract was purchased by the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League.[24] [25]

Personal life

Weiss' parents divorced when he was a child and his father committed suicide when Weiss was 14 years old. In January 2018, his mother died of a heart attack.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Weiss, South Elgin stand tall against Willowbrook . Dailyherald.com . May 30, 2015. 2021-08-27.
  2. Web site: South Elgin's Ryan Weiss makes right choice with Wright State. Gene. Chamberlain. chicagotribune.com.
  3. News: Archdeacon . Tom . Archdeacon: Wright State pitcher copes with loss of both parents . 11 September 2022 . . May 30, 2018 .
  4. Web site: WSU pitcher Ryan Weiss Freshman All-American. Marc. Pendleton. journal-news.
  5. Web site: Ryan Weiss – Profile . pointstreak.com . June 16, 2021.
  6. Web site: Share By Arizona Sports . D-backs go pitcher-heavy in second day of the MLB Draft . Arizonasports.com . 2018-06-05 . 2021-08-27.
  7. Web site: Wright State's Weiss: 'Surreal' feeling getting drafted by Diamondbacks. David. Jablonski. dayton-daily-news.
  8. Web site: Ryan Weiss motivated by heartbreak . Mlb.com . 2018-06-06 . 2021-08-27.
  9. Web site: Weiss' way: South Elgin grad Ryan Weiss ready to start season in Kane County with Cougars. Paul. Johnson. chicagotribune.com.
  10. Web site: Jensen . Merisa . Cal notes: Visalia Rawhide's Ryan Weiss no stranger to adversity . MiLB.com . 2019-08-26 . 2021-08-27.
  11. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled. 2023-06-06. mlb.com. en.
  12. Web site: Amarillo Sod Poodles' Weiss uses religion to guide him through life, playing career . Amarillo.com . 2021-08-27.
  13. Web site: Ryan Weiss Put In Time To Refine His Stuff. Nick. Piecoro. www.baseballamerica.com.
  14. Web site: Diamondbacks Announce Several Roster Moves.
  15. Web site: Diamondbacks add prospect Kristian Robinson, two others to 40-man roster. Nick. Piecoro. The Arizona Republic.
  16. Web site: Diamondbacks designate reliever Ryan Weiss for assignment . 26 June 2022 .
  17. Web site: Royals' Ryan Weiss: Claimed by Kansas City .
  18. Web site: Royals’ Ryan Weiss: Outrighted to Triple–A. 2023-06-06. cbssports.com. en.
  19. Web site: Minor League Transactions: May 8-22, 2023. 2023-06-06. baseballamerica.com. en.
  20. https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/
  21. https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/
  22. Web site: High Point Rockers Ryan Weiss Has Contract Purchased. August 3, 2023. oursportscentral.com. en.
  23. Web site: 2024 Transactions. April 16, 2024. atlanticleague.com. en.
  24. Web site: Hanwha Eagles sign U.S. minor leaguer Ryan Weiss as temporary foreign player. June 17, 2024. m-en.yna.co.kr. en.
  25. Web site: Transactions. June 16, 2024. baseball.pointstreak.com. en.