Ryan Weiss, a former pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles who frequently expressed his fondness for South Korea on social media, has returned to the mound in the minor leagues. His recent performance raises questions about a potential return to the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) league.
Weiss Pitches for Sugar Land Space Cowboys in Las Vegas
Weiss, currently affiliated with the Houston Astros’ minor league system as part of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, appeared in a game on June 27th (Korean time). He took the mound for the Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas Aviators (an Oakland Athletics farm team) at Las Vegas Ballpark in Nevada. In his outing, Weiss pitched 0.2 innings, allowing 2 hits, 3 walks, and 4 earned runs, resulting in the worst pitching performance of his season.
This appearance marked Weiss’s return to the mound just days after his previous outing on June 23rd, where he pitched one inning of scoreless relief against the Oklahoma City Dodgers. However, his performance against Las Vegas was significantly different.
Challenging Inning Leads to High Earned Run Average
Entering the game in the bottom of the 5th inning with his team trailing 2-3 and no outs, Weiss took over from starter Mike Burroughs. His outing quickly turned difficult. He faced a tough stretch of batters, including Bryan Buenviaje, Cole Curley, and Colt Colvin. Weiss issued three consecutive walks, creating a bases-loaded situation with only one out.
Curley’s walk was a straight fastball, while Colvin was walked on a full count after a battle. The situation worsened as Drew Swift hit a two-run double to left-center field, followed by Davis Diaz hitting a two-run single to right field. Weiss’s outing concluded after giving up these runs.
In the bottom of the 5th, with the score now 2-7 and one out and one runner on first, Christian Roa hit a ground ball over the bat, ending Weiss’s appearance. Although one runner was erased due to Roa’s ground ball, Weiss allowed four earned runs, significantly increasing his season ERA from 5.93 to 6.59.
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys ultimately lost the game to Las Vegas by a score of 5-11.
Weiss’s Previous Stint with the Hanwha Eagles
Weiss, who has experience in independent leagues and the Mexican League, first joined the Hanwha Eagles in June 2024 as a temporary replacement for the injured Ricardo Sanchez. His initial contract was for six weeks and $100,000. Despite the short duration, he made a strong impact, earning a full contract of $260,000.
His performance in the KBO was impressive, with a 5-5 record, a 3.73 ERA in 16 games, and 178.2 innings pitched. This led to a contract renewal for $950,000 for the 2025 season, positioning him as a top foreign pitcher in the league.
During the 2025 season, Weiss was a key part of the Eagles’ success, forming a formidable one-two punch with Moon Dong-ju. His stellar performance, including a 16-5 record, a 2.87 ERA in 30 games, and leading the league in several categories, was instrumental in the Hanwha Eagles reaching the Korean Series for the first time in 19 years. He finished second in Quality Starts (21), third in Wins, Innings Pitched (178 2/3), and WHIP (1.02), fourth in Strikeouts (207), and sixth in ERA.
Move to Houston Astros and Current Minor League Status
Following his successful KBO campaign, Weiss signed with the Houston Astros in December of the previous year. The contract was for two years, with a guaranteed $2.6 million and potential earnings of up to $10 million based on incentives, fulfilling his dream of playing in the United States.
However, his time in Major League Baseball was brief and challenging. He appeared in 9 games with a 0-3 record and a high 7.62 ERA before being optioned to the minor leagues. Currently, Weiss is working to regain his form in the minor leagues, aiming for a return to the top level.
Looking Ahead
Weiss’s journey highlights the unpredictable nature of professional baseball. After achieving significant success in the KBO, he faced challenges in his return to affiliated baseball in the United States. His recent outing, while difficult, is just one step in his ongoing effort to prove himself at the highest level. Baseball fans, particularly those who followed him during his time with the Hanwha Eagles, will be watching to see if he can recapture his previous form and make a successful comeback.
