Kai-Wei Teng
Teng in 2018
San Francisco Giants
Pitcher
Born: (1998-12-01) December 1, 1998 (age 25)
Taichung, Taiwan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
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 for the San Francisco Giants organization.

Career

Minnesota Twins

On October 20, 2017, the Minnesota Twins signed Teng for a $500,000 signing bonus.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3] 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.[4] He made 5 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.[5]

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.[6] In 21 starts for Eugene, Teng recorded a 4.33 ERA with 142 strikeouts in 95+2⁄3 innings of work.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] On June 18, 2023, he was promoted to the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats.[10]

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.[11] He is included on their roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[12]

References

  1. ^ "More than a translator: Cedar Rapids Kernels pitcher Kai-Wei Teng has mentor, friend in 'Jay'". The Gazette. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  2. ^ "Kai-Wei Teng - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  3. ^ Pantini, Andrew (July 15, 2019). "Kai-Wei Teng named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week". MiLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  4. ^ Velle, La (August 1, 2019). "Twins pick up Giants reliever Sam Dyson at trade deadline". Startribune.com. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  5. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  6. ^ "Giants pitching prospect Kai-Wei Teng suspended for 10 games". NBC Sports Bay Area. June 2, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  7. ^ Dodson, Joe (June 10, 2022). "Taiwanese pitcher feeling at home with Flying Squirrels". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  8. ^ "Kai-Wei Teng Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "Giants' Kai-Wei Teng: Promoted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  10. ^ "SF Giants promote Taiwanese pitching prospect to Triple-A Sacramento". si.com. June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  11. ^ "Taiwan beats Japan 5-4 in baseball in Asian Baseball Championship finals". Taiwan News. October 21, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "Former MLB infielder Yu Chang listed on Taiwan WBC team roster". Focustaiwan.tw. Retrieved January 30, 2023.

External links

Chinese Taipei roster – 2023 World Baseball Classic
San Francisco Giants current roster
Categories