Photo: Minda Haas Kuhlmann / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Weiss may have returned to the United States to chase his MLB dream, but he’s brought a big piece of Korea with him — literally.
Weiss, who signed a one-year deal with Houston in December after two standout seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization, recently shared on social media that he’s still embracing Korean culture at home. In a video post, the right-hander showed himself grilling meat on a Korean-style barbecue grill, captioning it: “K-barbecue at home.”
A Lasting Connection to Korea
The 29-year-old’s affection for Korea runs deep. When he said goodbye to the Hanwha Eagles and their fans in December, Weiss posted an emotional farewell message reflecting on the experience.
“I didn’t know I would fall into such a welcoming and affectionate Korean culture,” Weiss wrote. “Especially, I didn’t know that Korean food would ruin me like this. I even bought a KBBQ grill and came [back to the U.S.]. I feel like the team members, staff, and fans who embraced me went beyond work and became a family. Korea will always be a part of me. This greeting will not be a farewell. We’ll see each other again someday.”
Career Turnaround Overseas
Weiss’ path to Korea came after a difficult start to his professional career. Originally a fourth-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018, he never reached the major leagues and bounced through organizations before playing independent ball.
That changed in 2024 when he joined the Hanwha Eagles as an injury replacement. He went 5–5 with a 3.73 ERA in 16 starts, earning a return contract for 2025.
The second season proved to be a breakthrough. Weiss posted a 16–5 record with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP across 30 starts, striking out 207 batters in 178.2 innings.
“Daejeon Jesus” and a New Perspective
Fans in Daejeon, South Korea, nicknamed Weiss “Daejeon Jesus” due to his long hair and strong performances on the mound. Beyond the results, he credits his time in Korea with changing how he approaches baseball and life.
“Once I was removed from [the MLB system] a little bit, it kind of allowed me to grow my faith a lot more,” Weiss said at Astros FanFest. “Now, I don’t idolize baseball the way I used to, and now here we are.”
In a recent interview, Weiss noted that studying experienced KBO pitchers, including former MLB standout Ryu Hyun-jin, helped him mature as a pitcher. He focused on command and pitch efficiency, consistently throwing multiple offerings for strikes and improving his overall control.
Competing for a Spot in Houston
Now in Astros camp, Weiss is competing for a role as the club evaluates rotation depth heading into the 2026 season. He said his mindset this time around is different from earlier in his career.
“It’s more of like it’s a ready-to-go mindset versus a happy-to-be-here,” Weiss said. “I am happy to be here, but that only goes so far.”
He added that his goal is simple: “My goal is just to go deep into games and just provide length.”
A Personal Tie to Houston
The move to Houston also carries personal meaning. Weiss’ wife, Hayley, is from the area, and her father is an Astros fan. The couple became well known to Korean fans during Weiss’ time overseas and are expecting their first child in 2026.
Astros GM Dana Brown expressed confidence that the organization can help Weiss continue his development.
“If we can take our pitching knowledge, which I think we do very well, and get him to buy in to some of the stuff that we’ve done in the past to make guys better, he’s the perfect candidate for that,” Brown said.
As Weiss begins the next chapter of his career, he’s brought his Korean BBQ grill, a renewed perspective, and the lessons learned overseas — even if part of his heart remains in Daejeon.