Bryan Woo Bio
Bryan Joseph Woo (born January 30, 2000) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023. In 2025, he was named to the All-Star Game and All-MLB second team.
Early Life and Background
Bryan Woo was born in Oakland, California, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has a sister and was raised in a family that supported his athletic pursuits. Woo attended Alameda High School, where he primarily played shortstop and third base during his early years. He did not pitch regularly until his junior year, but his strong arm and growth spurt—growing eight inches during high school—caught the attention of scouts. As a senior in 2018, he achieved an impressive 8–2 record with a 1.25 earned run average (ERA) while batting .422 as a switch hitter. His performance earned him recognition as the player of the year in the West Alameda County Conference Foothill Division by the Mercury News. That summer, he played for the Peninsula Oilers in the Alaska Baseball League, where he further developed his skills.
Path to Baseball
After high school, Bryan Woo enrolled at California Polytechnic State University, commonly known as Cal Poly, where he played college baseball for the Mustangs. Cal Poly was the only program that recruited him as a pitcher rather than a two-way player. In his freshman year in 2019, he faced challenges with a 9.13 ERA over 23+2⁄3 innings. He returned to the Oilers that summer and was named the league’s top pro prospect. However, his college career was interrupted by Tommy John surgery in 2021, which limited his appearances to just 28 innings that season. Despite these setbacks, Woo finished his college career with a 4–7 record, one save, a 6.49 ERA, and 89 strikeouts in 69+1⁄3 innings.
Bryan Woo Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
The Seattle Mariners selected Bryan Woo in the sixth round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft, choosing him with the 174th overall selection. He signed with the Mariners for $318,200, which was above the slot value of the draft pick. Woo made his professional debut in June 2022 with the Arizona Complex League Mariners. His early career was marked by a serious incident in which he was hit in the face by a line drive but fortunately did not sustain serious injuries. He was promoted through the Mariners’ minor league system, playing for the Low-A Modesto Nuts and the High-A Everett AquaSox, where he posted a 1–4 record with a 4.11 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 57 innings over 16 starts.
Breakthrough (2023-Present)
Bryan Woo began the 2023 season with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, where he showcased his talent with a 3–2 record and a 2.05 ERA in nine starts. On June 2, 2023, he was promoted to the major leagues, making his debut against the Texas Rangers. Although he faced challenges in his first game, he secured his first MLB win on June 22 against the New York Yankees. Woo concluded his rookie season with a 4–5 record, a 4.21 ERA, and 92 strikeouts in 87+2⁄3 innings. In 2024, he improved significantly, ending the season with a 9–3 record and a 2.89 ERA, earning recognition for his ability to avoid walks. In 2025, Woo was named to the All-Star Game and finished the season with a remarkable 15–7 record, a 2.98 ERA, and 198 strikeouts in 186+2⁄3 innings, ranking among the top pitchers in the American League.
Notable Works and Milestones
Bryan Woo’s signature achievements include being named an All-Star in 2025 and finishing fifth in the American League Cy Young Award voting. His fastball and command have been highlighted as among the best in the league, contributing to his success on the mound.
Bryan Woo Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Bryan Woo has received notable nominations, including recognition for the All-Star Game in 2025, showcasing his rapid ascent in Major League Baseball.
Bryan Woo Awards Won
Bryan Woo has achieved significant accolades, including being named an All-Star in 2025 and earning a spot on the All-MLB second team, reflecting his outstanding performance during the season.
Bryan Woo Family
Bryan Woo was born into a supportive family in Oakland, California. He has a sister, and his parents have been active supporters of his baseball career, attending all his MLB starts. His paternal grandparents immigrated from China, and he has visited China twice during his childhood.
Personal Life
As a child, Bryan Woo was a fan of the San Francisco Giants, with his favorite player being Brandon Crawford. In 2024, he became the last person born in Oakland to play an MLB game in Oakland. Woo’s personal interests include a notable moment in 2024 when he wore custom cleats featuring illustrations of professional wrestler Ric Flair, known for his signature catchphrase, “woo.”
