Kai-Wei Teng Bio
Kai-Wei Teng is a Taiwanese professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball. Born on December 1, 1998, Teng developed into a promising right-handed pitcher before making his MLB debut with the San Francisco Giants in March 2024. His professional journey began when the Minnesota Twins selected him in the 2017 draft, and he has since climbed through the minor league ranks while representing Chinese Taipei internationally. Teng contributed to his national team’s gold medal victory at the 2019 Asian Baseball Championship, where he pitched in the championship game against Japan.
Early Life and Background
Teng was born on December 1, 1998, in Taiwan. He attended Shi Yuan Senior High School in Taichung before transferring to Kao-Yuan Vocational High School of Technology and Commerce in Kaohsiung. Following his high school education, Teng enrolled at the National Taiwan Sport University, where he continued to develop his baseball skills.
Path to Professional Baseball
Teng’s talent attracted attention from Major League Baseball scouts, leading to his selection in the 2017 MLB Draft. The Minnesota Twins chose him and signed him to a $500,000 signing bonus on October 20, 2017. This signing marked the beginning of his professional baseball career, setting the stage for his development as a pitcher in the American minor league system.
Kai-Wei Teng Career
Minnesota Twins Organization (2017–2019)
Teng made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Twins in 2018. He appeared in 10 games, making nine starts, and posted a 3.59 earned run average with 47 strikeouts across 42 and two-thirds innings pitched. His strong performance in his debut season demonstrated his potential as a starting pitcher.
In 2019, Teng began the season with the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Midwest League. He earned the league’s pitcher of the week honor for the week ending July 14. In nine games for Cedar Rapids, he logged a 4-0 record with an impressive 1.60 earned run average. His dominance at the Single-A level made him a valuable trade asset.
San Francisco Giants System (2019–2025)
On July 31, 2019, the Twins traded Teng, along with Jaylin Davis and Prelander Berroa, to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Sam Dyson. He joined the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets and made five starts, recording a 1.55 earned run average with 39 strikeouts across 39 and two-thirds innings. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing Teng from playing in organized games that year.
Teng advanced to the High-A Eugene Emeralds in 2021. On June 2, 2021, he received a 10-game suspension after umpires discovered a foreign substance in his glove. Despite the setback, he finished the season with a 4.33 earned run average and 142 strikeouts in 95 and two-thirds innings across 21 starts. He spent the 2022 season with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, making 28 starts and registering a 6-12 record with a 5.22 earned run average and a career-high 169 strikeouts in 136 and one-third innings.
He began 2023 with Double-A Richmond, posting a 4.75 earned run average with 68 strikeouts in 47 and one-third innings across 12 starts. On June 18, 2023, the Giants promoted him to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. In 17 games with Sacramento, he logged a 6-5 record with a 4.22 earned run average and 96 strikeouts in 76 innings. On November 14, 2023, the Giants added Teng to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
MLB Debut and Giants Tenure (2024–2025)
Teng received his first major league call-up on March 29, 2024, and made his MLB debut in relief of Daulton Jefferies, pitching three innings while allowing four hits and three runs. In four games during his rookie campaign, he struggled to a 9.82 earned run average with seven strikeouts over 11 innings. The Giants designated Teng for assignment on November 19, 2024, and non-tendered him on November 22, making him a free agent.
On November 29, 2024, Teng re-signed with the Giants organization on a minor league contract. In 25 appearances for Triple-A Sacramento, he posted a 3-2 record with a 3.67 earned run average, 86 strikeouts, and two saves across 54 innings. On August 1, 2025, the Giants selected Teng’s contract, adding him to their active roster. He made his first major league start that night, pitching three and one-third innings against the New York Mets. Teng earned his first major league win on August 8, pitching five innings in relief against the Washington Nationals. He finished the 2025 season with eight appearances, including seven starts, accumulating a 2-4 record with a 6.37 earned run average and 39 strikeouts across 29 and two-thirds innings.
Houston Astros (2026–Present)
On January 29, 2026, the Astros acquired Teng from the Giants in exchange for Jancel Villarroel. He made the Astros’ Opening Day roster and began the season in the bullpen before shifting to the starting rotation by late April. On June 15, 2026, Teng faced Hao-Yu Lee of the Detroit Tigers in the first head-to-head matchup between Taiwanese players in MLB history. Teng recorded a strikeout and allowed a single in his two plate appearances against Lee. Through June 21, 2026, Teng had made 23 appearances with 10 starts, posting a 4-6 record and 4.36 earned run average with 108 strikeouts in 108 innings. The Astros optioned him to the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys on June 27.
Kai-Wei Teng Career Wins
Teng has established himself as a versatile pitcher capable of working in relief and starting roles across his minor league and major league career. His professional record spans multiple levels of minor league competition and includes his breakthrough performances at the Triple-A and MLB levels.
Minor League Highlights
Throughout his minor league career, Teng has demonstrated the ability to miss bats and pitch deep into games. His most productive minor league season came in 2022 with Double-A Richmond, where he posted a 6-12 record with 169 strikeouts in 136 and one-third innings. In 2021 with High-A Eugene, he recorded 142 strikeouts in 95 and two-thirds innings, showing his ability to dominate hitters at an advanced level.
Major League Statistics
Through June 21, 2026, Teng has appeared in 35 major league games with 17 starts, posting a career win-loss record of 6-10 with a 5.35 earned run average and 108 strikeouts across 108 innings. His first career win came on August 8, 2025, with the Giants against the Washington Nationals.
| Competition Level | Wins | Losses | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Baseball | 6 | 10 | 108 |
| Triple-A (2023–2025) | 9 | 7 | 182 |
International Career
Teng has represented Chinese Taipei internationally on multiple occasions. He was a member of the Taiwanese national team at the 2019 Asian Baseball Championship, where he contributed to the gold medal-winning effort. Teng pitched in the championship game against Japan, helping Taiwan secure the title. He was subsequently selected to Taiwan’s roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, further establishing his role as a key contributor to the national program.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant milestone in Teng’s professional career. After beginning the year in the minor leagues with Sacramento, he earned a promotion to the major leagues on August 1. His first start came that same night against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Teng’s most memorable moment of the season came on August 8, when he earned his first major league victory by pitching five effective innings against the Washington Nationals at home. Throughout his seven starts with San Francisco, Teng demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level while continuing to refine his craft. His 2-4 record with a 6.37 earned run average showed the challenges of adjusting to major league hitters, but his 39 strikeouts in under 30 innings indicated his raw stuff remained electric. The Giants’ decision to give him consistent starting opportunities in the second half of the season reflected their belief in his long-term potential as a major league pitcher.