Wei-Chung Wang

Wei-Chung Wang's signature

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.[2]

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.[2][3] Wang competed for a spot on the Brewers' 2014 Opening Day roster,[4] which he made.[5][6] Wang made his MLB debut on April 14, 2014 against the St. Louis Cardinals pitching a scoreless inning, allowing one hit.[7]

Wang at an MLB promotional event in Taiwan, December 2015

Wang was designated for assignment by the Brewers on June 16, 2015 and outrighted to the Advanced-A Brevard County Manatees to begin the season. After three years in the minor leagues, the Brewers recalled Wang from Colorado Springs Sky Sox on 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.

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. He became a free agent following the 2018 season.

On February 1, 2019, Wang signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics that included an invitation to spring training.[8] On May 25, his contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues. Wang became the first Taiwanese player in Athletics' franchise history three days later, when he pitched two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing only one hit. On July 4, Wang earned his first MLB win, tossing 2.1 shutout innings in a 7-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins, during which he allowed one walk, no hits, and one strikeout. However, Wang struggled to establish himself as a reliable option outside of mop-up duty, and was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas 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.

On August 31, 2019, Wang was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He earned win twice as a reliever. His MLB stats during 2019 season is 3-0, with ERA 3.77 in 25 appearances. Wang was outrighted off the Pirates roster on November 2 and became a free agent.[9]