*This content was translated by AI.
Ryan Weiss (30, Houston Astros), who played an active role as a member of the Hanwha Eagles in the 2025 season, made an impressive pitch in his debut in the spring camp exhibition game and was impressed by the coaching staff.
Weiss pitched as the fifth pitcher in the 2026 MLB (major league) exhibition game against the New York Mets at Coty Park in West Palm Beach, Florida, on the 27th (Korea time) and recorded one hit and two walks in two ⅓ innings. A total of 32 pitches were thrown, 17 of which passed the strike zone.
What stood out most about Weiss's pitching on the day was his excellent speed and throwing various pitches. The average speed of the four-seam fastball was 93.7 miles (about 150.8 kilometers), and the maximum speed was 95.2 miles (about 153.2 kilometers). In addition to the fastball, Weiss cooked the Mets' lineup by throwing a proper mix of sweeper and sinker.
He also showed off his crisis management skills. Although he gave up two walks, he skillfully organized the inning by using a sharp sinker to induce a double play. Although he did not record a strikeout, it is evaluated that he proved his efficient ability to play innings by pitching to catch the ball.
Weiss, who took the mound at the beginning of the sixth inning, induced leadoff hitter Ben Lotbet to ground out to second base and then got a heavy hit by Jarrod Young from the Doosan Bears. However, he drew a grounder to shortstop to Tyrone Taylor and ended the inning with a double play. Weiss, who also came to the mound in the top of the seventh inning, hit MJ Melendez, Christian Arroyo, and Jose Ramos all to make a three-way exit.
Weiss, who took the mound without being replaced in the top of the eighth inning, was somewhat shaken by giving up consecutive walks to leadoff batters Jose Rojas and Joni Hernandez. He caught Kevin Villavicencio with a straight hit to second base with no outs and runners on first and second bases, giving him a breather. Subsequent Lotbet induced a groundout to second base, but the fielder's choice drove him to the bases loaded with one out.
The Houston bench moved here. Anthony Maldonado was put on the mound instead of Weiss. The changed pitcher Maldonado turned the follow-up batter into a double play in front of the pitcher, erasing all the runners left by Weiss, and thanks to this, Weiss' run was maintained at "0."
Weiss, who joined as a substitute in the middle of the 2024 season and played as a "lucky ball" for the Hanwha Eagles, is now taking on a new challenge on the U.S. stage. Weiss has yet to make his MLB regular league debut. Weiss played as many as 30 games for Hanwha in the 2025 season, recording 16 wins, 5 losses and an outstanding 2.87 ERA. Weiss is challenging the major leagues by signing an annual contract worth $2.6 million (about 3.7 billion won) with Houston.
Even though he left the team, this scoreless pitch is good news for the Korean fans who still support him. Attention is focusing on whether Weiss will be able to play a role in Houston's mound this season.
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*This content was translated by AI.
