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Ryan Weiss
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 careerWeiss 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 59+1⁄3 innings.[2] As a high schooler, his fastball reached only 84 miles per hour (135 km/h). 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 88+2⁄3 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 95 miles per hour (153 km/h).[3] 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 careerArizona DiamondbacksAfter 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 30+1⁄3 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 128+1⁄3 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 78+1⁄3 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 RoyalsOn 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 35+2⁄3 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 RockersOn 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 54+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 29, Weiss was released by High Point.[21] Fubon GuardiansOn 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 45+2⁄3 innings of work. Hanwha EaglesOn June 16, 2024, Weiss' contract was purchased by the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League.[24][25] Weiss appeared in his first game for the Eagles on June 25, striking out seven Doosan Bears batters in six scoreless innings of work. Alongside veteran major leaguers Hyun-jin Ryu and Jaime Barría in the starting rotation, Weiss contributed to the team posting a 14–10 record in August and making a surprise late entry into the race for the KBO playoffs. Weiss notably struck out 12 SSG Landers on August 16, and recorded a win against the champions–to–be Kia Tigers in his final outing of the year on September 27. In 16 total starts for the Eagles, he compiled a 5–5 record and 3.73 ERA with 98 strikeouts across 91+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 22, 2024, Weiss re–signed with Hanwha on a one–year, $950,000 contract.[26] Personal lifeWeiss' 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.[3] References
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