Daniel Mengden

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Daniel Mengden

| image = Daniel Mengden (52005393603) (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Mengden with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2022

| team = Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos

| number = 15

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|2|19}}

| birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = June 11

| debutyear = 2016

| debutteam = Oakland Athletics

| debut2league = KBO

| debut2date = April 6

| debut2year = 2021

| debut2team = Kia Tigers

| debut3league = CPBL

| debut3date = March 31

| debut3year = 2024

| debut3team = CTBC Brothers

| statyear = 2022 season

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record|

| stat1value = 17–21

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.65

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 232

| stat2year = 2021 season

| stat2league = KBO

| stat21label = Win–loss record|

| stat21value = 8–3

| stat22label = Earned run average

| stat22value = 3.60

| stat23label = Strikeouts

| stat23value = 104

| stat3league = CPBL

| stat3year = 2024 season

| stat31label = Win–loss record

| stat31value = 10–3

| stat32label = Earned run average

| stat32value = 2.86

| stat33label = Strikeouts

| stat33value = 114

| teams =

Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2020}})
Kia Tigers ({{by|2021}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2022}})
CTBC Brothers ({{by|2024}})

|highlights =

Taiwan Series champion ({{by|2024}})

}}

Daniel Joseph Mengden (born February 19, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals, in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the CTBC Brothers.

College career

After graduating from Westside High School in Houston, Texas, Mengden played college baseball at Texas A&M University from 2012 to 2014. During his three years, he appeared in 54 games with 36 starts. He went 15–17 with a 3.21 earned run average (ERA) and 230 strikeouts.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/mlb-baseball-detroit-tigers-south-korea-daniel-mengden-2ab3964a9ec7353aa45cb420d9ae557b|title=Former A's pitcher Mengden signs with team in South Korea|date=December 29, 2020|website=AP NEWS}}

Professional career

=Houston Astros=

Mengden was drafted by the Houston Astros in the fourth round, with the 106th overall selection, of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2014/06/06/astros-take-texas-am-and-westside-high-product-mengden-in-4th-round/#24048101=0&24051103=0|title=Astros take Texas A&M and Westside High product Mengden in 4th round|work=Ultimate Astros|date=June 6, 2014 |accessdate=July 6, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/81908986/astros-sign-fourth-round-draft-pick-daniel-mengden|title=Astros sign fourth-round Draft pick Mengden|work=Houston Astros|accessdate=July 6, 2015|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527040241/http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/81908986/astros-sign-fourth-round-draft-pick-daniel-mengden|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-not-concerned-about-draftee-Mengden-s-back-5535301.php|title=Astros|work=Houston Chronicle|date=June 7, 2014 |accessdate=July 6, 2015}} He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Astros and was later promoted to the Low-A Tri-City ValleyCats.

In 2015, Mengden started the season with the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits and was promoted to the High-A Lancaster JetHawks after recording a 1.16 ERA.{{cite web|url=http://www.qconline.com/sports/mustache-man-mengden-thriving-for-the-bandits/article_fc85cf71-32b4-53a2-947c-64f724433c57.html|title='Mustache Man' Mengden thriving for the Bandits|work=Quad-Cities Online|date=May 12, 2015 |accessdate=July 6, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://qctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/minor/midwest-league/mengden-styles-a-winning-look-for-river-bandits/article_c810f0d3-caa9-521a-86be-f92d41e77b03.html|title=Mengden styles a winning look for River Bandits|author=Steve Batterson|work=The Quad-City Times|date=May 13, 2015 |accessdate=July 6, 2015}} In 10 games (8 starts) for Lancaster, he compiled a 2-1 record and 5.26 ERA with 48 strikeouts across {{fraction|49|2|3}} innings pitched.

=Oakland Athletics=

On July 23, 2015, the Astros traded Mengden and Jacob Nottingham to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Scott Kazmir.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-138208794|title=A's get Nottingham, Mengden for Kazmir: Former Astros prospects were thriving at Class A, Class A Advanced|first=Sam|last=Dykstra|work=Minor League Baseball|date=July 23, 2015}}

File:Daniel Mengden Nashville Sounds.jpg in 2016]]

In 2016, Mengden began the season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds, but was promoted to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on May 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/daniel-mengden-596043|title=Daniel Mengden Stats, Highlights, Bio|work=Minor League Baseball|access-date=June 11, 2016}} With Nashville, he had a 3–1 record with a 1.39 ERA in seven starts. On June 11, 2016, he made his MLB debut, against the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web|url=http://www.scout.com/mlb/athletics/story/1677568-daniel-mengden-to-make-his-big-league-debut?hootPostID=bb6dc272c8ff9715b7d32bf485b2f56f|title=Oakland A's prospect Daniel Mengden to make his big league debut|first=Melissa|last=Lockard|work=Oakland Clubhouse|publisher=Scout.com|date=June 10, 2016|accessdate=June 11, 2016}} He won his first MLB game in the Battle of the Bay against the San Francisco Giants on June 27.{{Cite web|url=http://theirrelavantblog.weebly.com/1/post/2016/06/mengdon-madness.html|title=Mengden Madness|website=THE IRRELAVANT BLOG}}

Mengden would remain in the rotation for the remainder of the 2016 season, finishing with 14 starts for the A's. Mengden recorded 2 wins and 9 losses with 71 strikeouts in 72 innings. In 2017, Mengden spent the majority of the season in the minors, only making 7 starts for Oakland. In 2018, he was 7-6 with an ERA of 4.05 and 72 strikeouts in 22 games (17 starts).{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/daniel-mengden-signs-kbo-kia-tigers|title=Mengden signs with Kia Tigers in Korea|website=MLB.com}}

In 2019, Mengden did not replicate his success as he had done the previous season, going 5-2 with an ERA of 4.83 and 42 strikeouts in 13 games (9 starts).

File:Daniel Mengden, Oakland A's 6, Seattle Mariners 2, Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California (47934056623) (cropped).jpg

During the off-season, Mengden underwent two intestinal surgeries and an arthroscopic elbow surgery. On September 20, 2020, Mengden was designated for assignment by the Athletics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/as-designate-daniel-mengden-for-assignment.html|title=A's Designate Daniel Mengden For Assignment|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=September 20, 2020 }} On October 9, Mengden elected free agency.

While playing for the A's he was noted for his Rollie Fingers style handlebar mustache.

=Kia Tigers=

On December 25, 2020, Mengden signed a one-year, $725,000 guaranteed contract plus $275,000 possible performance incentives with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/kbos-kia-tigers-sign-daniel-mengden.html|title=KBO's KIA Tigers Sign Daniel Mengden|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=December 25, 2020 }} He made 21 starts for the Tigers in 2021, posting an 8-3 record and 3.60 ERA with 104 strikeouts across 120 innings pitched. Mengden became a free agent following the season.

=Kansas City Royals=

On March 8, 2022, Mengden signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals.{{Cite news|last=Worthy |first=Lynn |date=March 8, 2022|title=Two veteran pitchers sign minor-league contracts with Kansas City Royals|work=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, MO|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article259189293.html|access-date=March 9, 2022}} Mengden was selected to the 40-man roster on June 13 after Joel Payamps was placed on the COVID-19 injured list.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Daniel Mengden: Contract selected by Royals|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-daniel-mengden-contract-selected-by-royals/amp/|access-date=February 26, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers on July 2.

On September 1, Mengden was selected back to the major league roster to make a spot start against the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Daniel Mengden: Called up ahead of start|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-daniel-mengden-called-up-ahead-of-start/|access-date=June 16, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 2022 |language=en}} He went {{fraction|2|2|3}} innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits with 2 strikeouts, taking the loss.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Daniel Mengden: Short start in loss|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-daniel-mengden-short-start-in-loss/|access-date=June 16, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 2, 2022 |language=en}} Mengden was designated for assignment by the Royals the following day.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Daniel Mengden: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-daniel-mengden-designated-for-assignment/|access-date=June 16, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 2, 2022 |language=en}} He was again sent outright to Triple–A Omaha on September 4.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Daniel Mengden: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-daniel-mengden-outrighted-to-triple-a-850850/|access-date=June 16, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 5, 2022 |language=en}} He elected free agency on October 6.

On March 29, 2023, Mengden re-signed with the Royals on a minor league deal. In 6 games (3 starts) for Omaha, Mengden struggled to a 7.36 ERA with 14 strikeouts across {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings of work. He was released by the Royals organization on June 27.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-06-27/p-2 | title=Transactions }}

=Washington Nationals=

On July 2, 2023, Mengden signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization.{{Cite web|title=Nationals' Daniel Mengden: Lands MiLB deal with Washington|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-daniel-mengden-lands-milb-deal-with-washington/|access-date=July 2, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 22 games for the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings, he recorded a 7.20 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 35 innings of work. Mengden elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=January 16, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2023 |language=en}}

=CTBC Brothers=

On January 17, 2024, Mengden signed with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.{{Cite web|title=CTBC Brothers Sign Daniel Mengden|url=http://cpblstats.com/ctbc-brothers-sign-daniel-mengden/|access-date=January 19, 2024|website=cpblstats.com|date=January 17, 2024 |language=en}} In 25 starts for the team, he compiled a 10–3 record and 2.86 ERA with 114 strikeouts across 154 innings pitched. With the Brothers, Mengden won the 2024 Taiwan Series.{{Cite web|title=CTBC Brothers win their 10th Taiwan Series Title|url=https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/ctbc-brothers-win-their-10th-taiwan-series-title|access-date=November 11, 2024|website=wbsc.org|language=en}}

On January 23, 2025, Mengden re-signed with the Brothers.{{Cite web|title=CTBC Brothers Re-Sign Daniel Mengden for 2025 Season|url=http://cpblstats.com/ctbc-brothers-sign-daniel-mengden-2025-season/|access-date=January 27, 2025|website=cpblstats.com|language=en}} On March 5, Mengden was released by the Brothers due to failing an internal drug test.{{Cite news |date=2025-03-06 |title=CTBC Brothers Release Daniel Mengden Over Failed Drug Test |url=http://cpblstats.com/ctbc-brothers-release-daniel-mengden-failed-drug-test-marijuana/ |publisher=CPBL STATS}}

=Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos=

On March 11, 2025, Mengden signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 11 de marzo de 2025|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-11-de-marzo-de-2025|access-date=March 12, 2025|website=milb.com|language=en}} On June 26, Mengden signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks;https://www.milb.com/transactions/2025-06-26 however, the transaction never materialized, and Mengden was reactivated by the team on July 5.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 5 de julio de 2025|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-5-de-julio-de-2025|access-date=July 6, 2025|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}

Personal life

Daniel is the oldest son of Beth and Joe Mengden, and has four siblings: an older sister, Victoria; and younger siblings, Michael and Gabrielle. Mengden was home schooled through eighth grade, at which time his parents ultimately decided to place him in public high school in order to further his baseball career. Victoria is a highschool math teacher and his younger siblings are professional dancers; Michael with the Cincinnati Ballet and Gabrielle with Oklahoma City Ballet. Daniel married Danielle Bishop on November 7, 2020, in Houston, Texas.