Kai-Wei Teng

Kai-Wei Teng (鄧愷威)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 260 lb.
• School National Taiwan Sport University
• High School Kao-Yuan Technical High School
• Debut March 31, 2024

• Born December 1, 1998 in Taichung Taiwan

BR page

Biographical Information

Kai-Wei Teng pitched for the Taiwanese national team before making his major league debut at the start of the 2024 season.

Teng was signed by Minnesota Twins scout Cary Broder in 2017. He made his pro debut with the GCL Twins in '18, going 3-3 with a 3.59 ERA and fanning 47 in 42 2/3 innings. He began 2019 with the Cedar Rapids Kernels and was excellent (4-0, 1.60 in 9 G, 8 GS). He was then dealt with Prelander Berroa and Jaylin Davis to the San Francisco Giants for Sam Dyson. Assigned to the Augusta GreenJackets, he was 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA to finish the season at 7-0, 1.58 between his two stops. His fastball was timed at 96 mph that year.

The big right-hander then was on Taiwan's team for the 2019 Asian Championship. He started against Japan in the round-robin, going 3 innings and allowing one unearned run, two hits and two walks before Sheng-Feng Wu relieved. He took the loss as Makoto Hori was blanking Taiwan. He had done well enough, though, to earn the start against Japan in the Gold Medal Game. He was hit harder that time with four hits, two walks and three runs (two earned) in two innings before Yu-Hao Cheng took over. Taiwan would rally to win the Gold.

After missing the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic shutting down the minor leagues, Teng reached class-A Advanced in 2021 when he was 5-6 with a 4.70 ERA for the Eugene Emeralds. He led the High-A West with 142 strikeouts, and he was 6th in innings (between Helcris Olivarez and Hector Yan). Teng then went 6-12 with a 5.22 ERA in 2022 for the AA Richmond Flying Squirrels, and he struck out 169 while walking 85. He led the Eastern League in strikeouts, losses and walks, and he was 2nd in innings (3 1/3 behind Matt Frisbee).

Teng made it onto Taiwan's roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but he struggled in that event. Relieving C.C. Lee in the 6th inning against Panama, Teng plunked Jose Caballero first, and Caballero then he stole second. Teng then walked Jahdiel Santamaria and Allen Córdoba bunted. However, he committed an error on the play that loaded the bases. Jyun-Yueh Tseng replaced him, and Teng didn't pitch another game in this event. Teng improved to 1-3 with a 4.75 ERA with Richmond, then he was promoted to the AAA Sacramento River Cats. He was 6-5 with a 4.22 ERA there, and the Giants put him onto the 40-man roster to prevent him from being taken in the Rule V draft.

He was added to the Giants' roster one day after the start of the 2024 season and made his big league debut on March 31st against the San Diego Padres. He took over for Daulton Jefferies to start the 3rd inning after Jefferies had already allowed 9 runs, and he proceeded to pitch the next three innings, giving up 3 mores runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. He did strike out 4 batters and kept the ball in the park (Jefferies had given up two gopher balls), giving the Giants needed length on the mound.

Related Sites

• Kai-Wei Teng on mlb.com
• BR Register page