Seoul: Ryan Weiss, the ace starter for the Hanwha Eagles over the past two seasons, has signed with the Houston Astros, multiple reports have claimed. Weiss, a standout pitcher in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), will join the Astros on a one-year major league contract valued at $2.6 million, with the potential to earn over $7 million through 2027 if a club option is exercised for a second season.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Weiss, who is set to turn 29 next Wednesday, has yet to pitch in the major leagues. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2018 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Weiss reached as high as Triple-A before moving to Asia. He played in Taiwan in 2023 and then joined the KBO in the 2024 season.

During his tenure with the Eagles, Weiss served as a temporary injury replacement for Ricardo Sanchez and excelled in limited opportunities. He achieved a 5-5 record with a 3.76 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings, earning him a full contract for the 2025 season. Weiss emerged as one of the KBO's most effective starters, finishing the season with a 16-5 record, a 2.87 ERA, and 207 strikeouts in 178 2/3 innings. He ranked third overall in wins and innings pitched, fourth in strikeouts, and sixth in ERA.

Weiss, along with fellow pitcher Cody Ponce, who set a KBO record with 252 strikeouts, became the first pair of teammates to each achieve over 200 strikeouts in a season. Their performances helped propel the Eagles to their first postseason appearance since 2018, although they were ultimately defeated by the LG Twins in the Korean Series.

As the Eagles prepare for the potential departure of both aces, the team has already taken steps to bolster their roster. They signed former minor league pitcher Wilkel Hernandez and acquired Taiwanese pitcher Wang Yan-Cheng as their Asian quota player. Under KBO regulations, clubs can sign a maximum of two foreign-born pitchers and, starting in the 2026 season, an additional player from an Asian country or Australia.