Wei-Chung Wang

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Wei-Chung Wang

| image = File:Wei-Chung Wang on May 28, 2019 (Cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Wang pitching for the Oakland Athletics in {{mlby|2019}}

| position = Pitcher

| team = Wei Chuan Dragons

| number = 16

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|4|25}}

| birth_place = Taitung County, Taiwan

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 14

| debutyear = 2014

| debutteam = Milwaukee Brewers

| debut2league = KBO

| debut2date = March 24

| debut2year = 2018

| debut2team = NC Dinos

| debut3league = CPBL

| debut3date = March 14

| debut3year = 2021

| debut3team = Wei Chuan Dragons

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2019 season

| stat1label = Win–loss record|

| stat1value = 3–0

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 6.52

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 33

| stat2league = KBO

| stat2year = 2018 season

| stat21label = Win–loss record|

| stat21value = 7–10

| stat22label = Earned run average

| stat22value = 4.26

| stat23label = Strikeouts

| stat23value = 108

| stat3league = CPBL

| stat3year = April 6, 2025

| stat31label = Win–loss record|

| stat31value = 15–23

| stat32label = Earned run average

| stat32value = 3.33

| stat33label = Strikeouts

| stat33value = 270

| teams =

Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2014}}, {{mlby|2017}})
NC Dinos ({{kboy|2018}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2019}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2019}})
Wei Chuan Dragons ({{by|2021}}–present)

| awards =

CPBL

Taiwan Series champion ({{by|2023}})

}}

Wei-Chung Wang ({{zh|c=王維中}}, born April 25, 1992) is a Taiwanese professional baseball pitcher for the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Pittsburgh Pirates, and in the KBO League for the NC Dinos.

Career

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

File:Wei-Chung Wang's signed baseball 20151206.jpg

Wang signed as an international free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011. When the Pirates discovered that Wang required Tommy John surgery, they voided the contract, and signed Wang to a new contract.

=Milwaukee Brewers=

File:Wei-Chung Wang pitching for Brevard County Manatees in 2015 (Cropped).jpg in 2015]]

The Brewers selected Wang from the Pirates in the 2013 Rule 5 draft. Though a player is normally automatically ineligible for the Rule 5 draft in his first four professional seasons, Wang was eligible due to the voided contract.{{cite web|last=Brink |first=Bill |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2013/12/12/Brewers-select-Pirates-Wei-Chung-Wang-in-Rule-5-draft/stories/201312120305 |title=Brewers select Pirates' Wei-Chung Wang in Rule 5 draft|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=December 12, 2013 |access-date=March 29, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Pleskoff|first1=Bernie|title=Brewers could have Rule 5 gem in lefty reliever Wang|url=http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/73208700/bernie-pleskoff-brewers-could-have-rule-5-gem-in-wei-chung-wang|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000219/http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/73208700/bernie-pleskoff-brewers-could-have-rule-5-gem-in-wei-chung-wang|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|work=MLB.com}} Wang competed for a spot on the Brewers' 2014 Opening Day roster,{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/brewers-wei-chung-wang-hopes-to-jump-from-rookie-ball-to-majors-b99225486z1-250486971.html |first1=Tom|last1=Haudricourt|title=Brewers' Wei-Chung Wang hopes to jump from rookie ball to majors |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date= |access-date=March 29, 2014}} which he made.{{cite news|last1=Gruman|first1=Andrew|title=Wang hopes 2014 experiences help him get back to majors in future|url=http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/wang-hopes-2014-experiences-help-him-get-back-to-majors-in-future-092314|access-date=December 14, 2014|work=Fox Sports|date=September 23, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Haudricourt|first1=Tom|title=Brewers See Wang As A Starter|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/brewers-see-wang-starter/|access-date=December 14, 2014|publisher=Baseball America|date=October 21, 2014}} Wang made his MLB debut on April 14, 2014 against the St. Louis Cardinals pitching a scoreless inning, allowing one hit.{{cite news|title=Lance Lynn strikes out 11 as Cardinals snap Brewers' 9-game win streak|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=340414108|access-date=December 14, 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=April 14, 2014}}

File:Wei-Chung Wang, Baseball Park in Kaoshiung 2015.jpg

During the 2015 season, Wang pitched for the Advanced-A Brevard County Manatees.{{cite news |last1=Hadricourt |first1=Tom |title=Brewers had high hopes for Wei-Chung Wang |url=http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/307702581.html |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel |date=June 16, 2015}} He was designated for assignment by the Brewers on June 16, 2015.{{cite news |last1=McCalvy |first1=Adam |title=Brewers claim Dominguez off waivers |url=https://www.mlb.com/brewers/news/brewers-claim-matt-dominguez-off-waivers/c-130977224 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=MLB.com |date=June 16, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Hadricourt |first1=Tom |title=Brewers claim Astros' Matt Dominguez off waivers |url=http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/brewers-claim-astros-matt-dominguez-off-waivers-b99520914z1-307754781.html/ |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=June 16, 2015}} After three years in the minor leagues, the Brewers recalled Wang from Colorado Springs Sky Sox on July 30, 2017.{{cite news |last1=Rosiak |first1=Todd |title=Notes: Brewers send Junior Guerra out, bring Wei-Chung Wang in |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2017/07/30/brewers-send-out-junior-guerra-bring-wei-chung-wang/523649001/ |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=July 30, 2017}} He was granted his release from the Milwaukee Brewers in order to pursue a playing opportunity in South Korea, and was released on January 26, 2018.{{cite news |last1=Rosiak |first1=Todd |title=New Brewers free-agent acquisition Lorenzo Cain happy to be back where he started his career |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2018/01/26/lorenzo-cain-who-helped-royals-rebuild-and-win-world-series-returns-boost-brewers/1068934001/ |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=January 26, 2018}}

=NC Dinos=

Wang was the first Taiwanese baseball player to play in the South Korean KBO League. He signed a one-year contract for $700,000 with the NC Dinos of the KBO League. The contract was announced by the Dinos on January 26.{{cite news |title=Left-hander becomes 1st Taiwanese in S. Korean baseball |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20180127002300315 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=January 27, 2018}} He became a free agent following the 2018 season.

=Oakland Athletics=

On February 1, 2019, Wang signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics that included an invitation to spring training.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/GOCPBL/status/1091511965669679104|title=CPBL Stats on Twitter|publisher=}} On May 25, his contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues.{{cite news |last1=Rubin |first=Shayna |title=A's update: Fernando Rodney is released by Oakland |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/05/25/as-update-fernando-rodney-designated-for-assignment/ |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=Mercury News |date=May 25, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Shea |first1=John |title=A's Fernando Rodney designated for assignment; Wei-Chung Wang called up |url=https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/A-s-cut-Fernando-Rodney-call-up-Wei-Chung-Wang-13896786.php |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=May 25, 2019}} Wang became the first Taiwanese player in Athletics' franchise history three days later,{{cite news |last1=Ross |first1=Ben |title=Reliever Wei-Chung Wang grateful for latest MLB opportunity with A's |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/reliever-wei-chung-wang-grateful-latest-mlb-opportunity |access-date=July 20, 2020 |publisher=NBC Sports |date=June 1, 2019}} when he pitched two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing only one hit.{{cite news |last1=Slusser |first1=Susan |title=Shohei Ohtani ends A's win streak with two-run single in 9th |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/Shohei-Ohtani-ends-A-s-win-streak-with-two-run-13902756.php |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=May 28, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Ohtani's two-run single in the ninth lifts Angels past A's |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401075552 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=May 28, 2019}} On July 4, Wang earned his first MLB win, tossing {{fraction|2|1|3}} shutout innings in a 7–2 victory over the Minnesota Twins, during which he allowed one walk, no hits, and one strikeout.{{cite news |last1=Radcliffe |first1=JR |title=Wei-Chung Wang just got his first big-league win. He's come a long way since 'Wei-Chung Wang Wednesdays' |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2019/07/05/wei-chung-wang-earns-first-mlb-win-5-years-after-debut-brewers/1657741001/ |access-date=July 20, 2020 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=July 5, 2019}} However, Wang struggled to establish himself as a reliable option outside of mop-up duty, and was optioned to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators on August 19, with a 3.33 ERA buoyed almost entirely by a microscopic 0.231 average against on balls put in play. On August 29, Wang was designated for assignment.{{cite news |last1=Slusser |first1=Susan |title=A's officially call up Sheldon Neuse; he's expected right about game time |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-officially-call-up-Sheldon-Neuse-he-s-14399333.php |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=San Francisco Chroncle |date=August 29, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Lockard |first1=Mellissa |title=Versatility, aggressiveness at the plate: What to expect from newest A's rookie Sheldon Neuse |url=https://theathletic.com/1171049/2019/08/29/versatility-aggressiveness-at-the-plate-what-to-expect-from-newest-as-rookie-sheldon-neuse/ |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=The Athletic |date=August 29, 2019}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates (second stint)=

On August 31, 2019, Wang was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{cite news |last1=Guerriero |first1=Justin |title=Pirates claim left-handed reliever Wei-Chung Wang |url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-claim-left-handed-reliever-wei-chung-wang/ |access-date=July 20, 2020 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=August 31, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Pirates claim LHP Wei-Chung Wang |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-pirates-claim-lhp-wei-chung-wang |work=MLB.com |date=August 31, 2019}} He earned wins twice as a reliever. His MLB stats during the 2019 season was 3–0, with ERA 3.77 in 25 appearances. Wang was outrighted off the Pirates roster on November 2 and became a free agent two days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2019|author=Matt Eddy|website=Baseball America|date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}

=Wei Chuan Dragons=

Wang was selected first overall by the Wei Chuan Dragons in the 2020 Chinese Professional Baseball League draft on July 20, 2020, and returned to his native Taiwan as the first left-handed pitcher to be chosen with the first pick in the CPBL draft.{{cite news |last1=Yeh |first1=Joseph |title=Former MLB player Wang becomes No. 1 pick in Taiwan baseball draft |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202007200021 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |agency=Central News Agency |date=July 20, 2020}} In September 2020, Wang signed a 5-year, $2.08 million contract with the Dragons, the largest contract in Taiwanese professional baseball history.{{cite news|title=Ex-MLB pitcher signs largest deal in CPBL history|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2020/09/24/2003743975|work=Taipei Times|date=24 September 2020|access-date=6 February 2024}}

On March 14, 2021, Wang made his CPBL debut as the Dragons' Opening Day pitcher against the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions.

Personal life

He is the younger brother of former Chicago Cubs minor league player Wang Yao-lin.[http://www.nownews.com/n/2015/01/05/1564924 MLB／王維中的棒球之路　哥哥影響深遠]. He is a member of the Amis people.{{cite web|title=進MLB 王維中最愛阿美族惜烙|url=https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20140402004931-260403|publisher=China Times|date=2 April 2014|access-date=29 August 2020|language=Chinese}}