Bryan Woo is one of the most intriguing young starting pitchers in Major League Baseball. The Seattle Mariners right-hander has gone from a sixth-round draft pick at Cal Poly to an All-Star and one of the organization’s most important starters.
Woo’s rise has been particularly impressive because he entered professional baseball after undergoing right-elbow surgery before the 2021 MLB Draft. Since making his major-league debut in 2023, he has developed into a pitcher capable of missing bats while limiting walks.
His breakout 2025 season put him firmly among the American League’s top pitchers. Woo went 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA, 198 strikeouts and a 0.93 WHIP, earned his first All-Star selection and finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting.
In 2026, however, Woo has faced a more challenging season and recently dealt with right shoulder soreness, making his health and late-season form major talking points.
Bryan Woo Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bryan Joseph Woo |
| Date of birth | January 30, 2000 |
| Age | 26 |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Position | Starting pitcher |
| Throws | Right |
| Bats | Right |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | 205 lbs |
| College | Cal Poly |
| MLB team | Seattle Mariners |
| MLB Draft | 2021, Round 6, No. 174 |
| MLB debut | June 3, 2023 |
| First All-Star selection | 2025 |
MLB lists Woo as a 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed pitcher for the Seattle Mariners.
Who Is Bryan Woo?
Bryan Woo is a professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners.
He has quickly established himself as one of Seattle’s most talented young starters.
Unlike some highly drafted prospects who receive enormous attention before reaching MLB, Woo was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, 174th overall. His development since then has made him one of the better examples of a player exceeding expectations after being selected outside the early rounds.
Woo made his MLB debut in June 2023 and has steadily increased his workload and effectiveness.
Where Was Bryan Woo Born?
Bryan Joseph Woo was born on January 30, 2000, in Oakland, California.
He attended Alameda High School, graduating in 2018 before beginning his college baseball career at Cal Poly.
His route to MLB was not completely straightforward.
Woo spent three seasons at Cal Poly from 2019 through 2021 and underwent right-elbow surgery before the Mariners selected him in the draft.
When Was Bryan Woo Drafted?
The Seattle Mariners selected Woo with the 174th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
At that point, he was hardly viewed as a guaranteed future major-league starter.
But Seattle’s development system helped Woo turn his raw talent into a major-league weapon.
His progression ultimately took him through the Mariners’ minor-league system before he reached the majors.
When Did Bryan Woo Make His MLB Debut?
Woo made his Major League Baseball debut on June 3, 2023, with the Seattle Mariners.
His promotion came after he impressed in the minors with his combination of velocity and strikeout ability.
MLB lists his debut date as June 3, 2023.
That debut marked the beginning of what has become a rapid rise through the Mariners’ pitching hierarchy.
Bryan Woo’s 2023 Rookie Season
Woo’s first major-league season was an introduction to MLB-level competition.
He demonstrated the raw stuff that had made him an intriguing prospect, particularly his fastball.
However, he also had to learn how to manage a major-league workload.
The Mariners were careful with him, particularly given his previous elbow history.
His rookie season therefore served as an important foundation for what came next.
Bryan Woo’s Breakout 2024 Season
Woo took a major step forward in 2024.
He finished the season with:
- 9 wins
- 3 losses
- 2.89 ERA
- 121⅓ innings
- 101 strikeouts
- 0.90 WHIP
Those numbers showed that Woo was becoming more than a promising young pitcher.
He was becoming a legitimate MLB starter.
His ability to limit baserunners was especially impressive.
A 0.90 WHIP meant opponents had considerable difficulty reaching base against him.
Bryan Woo’s 2025 All-Star Season
The biggest breakthrough of Woo’s career came in 2025.
He finished the season 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA, striking out 198 batters in 186⅔ innings while posting a 0.93 WHIP.
That performance earned Woo his first MLB All-Star selection.
He also finished fifth in American League Cy Young Award voting.
The Mariners highlighted another remarkable achievement from that season: Woo pitched through the sixth inning in 25 consecutive starts to begin the season, establishing a franchise record.
Why Was Bryan Woo So Good in 2025?
Woo’s success came from several areas.
1. Strikeout Ability
Woo struck out 198 batters in 2025.
His ability to generate swings and misses gave him a way to escape difficult situations without allowing big innings.
2. Excellent Control
Woo walked only 36 batters in 186⅔ innings in 2025.
That combination of strikeouts and limited walks made him particularly difficult to attack.
3. Limiting Baserunners
His 0.93 WHIP demonstrated how effectively he prevented opponents from reaching base.
4. Increasing Durability
Perhaps just as important was his ability to handle a much larger workload.
Woo went from 121⅓ innings in 2024 to 186⅔ innings in 2025.
That represented a major development in his career.
Bryan Woo’s First MLB All-Star Selection
Woo was selected to the American League All-Star team in 2025.
He pitched a scoreless third inning in the All-Star Game and recorded a strikeout.
For a player who had been drafted in the sixth round only four years earlier, the achievement represented a remarkable rise.
Bryan Woo and the Seattle Mariners’ Rotation
Woo has become an important part of a Mariners rotation that has featured several talented young pitchers.
His emergence has given Seattle another potential frontline starter alongside pitchers such as George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller.
The organization increasingly views Woo as more than simply a promising young pitcher.
He has become part of the team’s long-term pitching foundation.
What Happened to Bryan Woo in 2026?
Woo entered 2026 with considerable expectations following his All-Star campaign.
However, his numbers have been less dominant this season.
Through 24 starts, Woo is listed at:
- 9-8 record
- 4.10 ERA
- 138⅓ innings
- 137 strikeouts
- 1.08 WHIP
Those figures are still respectable, particularly his strikeout and WHIP numbers, but they represent a step down from his 2025 performance.
Does Bryan Woo Have an Injury?
Woo recently dealt with right shoulder soreness.
He left his August 16 start against the Houston Astros after 75 pitches and subsequently missed his next scheduled turn in the Mariners’ rotation.
The situation generated concern because of Woo’s previous elbow history.
However, Woo later threw a bullpen session and reported feeling good.
Reports indicated that he was optimistic about returning to the rotation rather than expecting the shoulder issue to end his season. (Lookout Landing)
Is Bryan Woo Going to Miss More Time?
The latest reports suggest that Woo’s shoulder issue was not viewed as season-ending.
He completed a full bullpen session and said he felt good physically.
However, the Mariners’ final decision regarding his rotation schedule depends on how his arm responds and the team’s medical evaluation.
Given his previous elbow problems, Seattle has obvious reasons to be cautious.
Bryan Woo’s Injury History
Woo’s injury history is worth watching because he underwent right-elbow surgery before entering professional baseball.
He later experienced:
- Right forearm inflammation in 2023
- Right medial elbow inflammation in 2024
- Right hamstring strain in 2024
- Right shoulder soreness in 2026
MLB’s transaction history records those injury-related absences.
Despite those setbacks, Woo has continued developing into a durable starter.
What Makes Bryan Woo’s Pitching So Effective?
Woo’s pitching arsenal and command are central to his success.
His fastball can generate significant velocity, while his breaking pitches give hitters different looks.
More importantly, Woo has shown the ability to locate his pitches effectively.
His low walk totals are a major part of his profile.
When he combines:
velocity + command + strikeout ability
he can be extremely difficult for opposing hitters to handle.
Bryan Woo’s Career MLB Statistics
Through the latest available 2026 statistics, Woo has:
- 37 wins
- 23 losses
- 3.44 career ERA
- 534 innings
- 529 strikeouts
- 1.01 WHIP
He has made 94 MLB appearances, all as starts.
Those numbers are especially impressive considering he has played only four MLB seasons.
Bryan Woo Career Stats by Season
| Season | W-L | ERA | IP | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 9-3 | 2.89 | 121.1 | 101 | 0.90 |
| 2025 | 15-7 | 2.94 | 186.2 | 198 | 0.93 |
| 2026 | 9-8 | 4.10 | 138.1 | 137 | 1.08 |
| Career | 37-23 | 3.44 | 534.0 | 529 | 1.01 |
The 2024–26 figures are from MLB/Statcast’s current records.
Bryan Woo’s Role in Seattle’s Future
Woo’s emergence is particularly important because he is still only 26 years old.
The Mariners have already seen him develop from a sixth-round draft pick into an All-Star and Cy Young contender.
If he can remain healthy and rediscover his 2025 form, he has the potential to become one of the most important pitchers in Seattle’s long-term plans.
Bryan Woo’s Leadership Development
Woo has also started taking on a larger leadership role within the Mariners clubhouse.
MLB reported in February 2026 that Woo had become increasingly comfortable speaking up and helping teammates.
His development was no longer limited to what he did on the mound.
He was beginning to understand how he could contribute as a leader within the team.
For a pitcher who had only reached the majors three years earlier, that represents another important stage in his development.
Bryan Woo’s Personality and Approach
One of the things that has stood out about Woo is his willingness to learn.
Rather than treating his early success as the finished product, he has continued working on his pitching and leadership.
MLB’s reporting has described his progression as both physical and mental.
That combination could be important as he attempts to establish himself as a long-term ace.
What Is Next for Bryan Woo?
The immediate priority is getting fully healthy.
If his shoulder responds well, Woo should remain an important part of Seattle’s starting rotation.
The larger question is whether he can return to the level he demonstrated in 2025.
His current 4.10 ERA is considerably higher than his 2.89 ERA in 2024 and 2.94 ERA in 2025.
But his 137 strikeouts and 1.08 WHIP show that his underlying ability has not disappeared.
A healthy and effective Woo could be extremely valuable to Seattle down the stretch.
Bryan Woo Career Timeline
2000
Born in Oakland, California.
2018
Graduates from Alameda High School.
2019–2021
Plays college baseball at Cal Poly.
2021
Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the sixth round of the MLB Draft.
2023
Makes his MLB debut with Seattle.
2024
Breaks out with a 2.89 ERA and 0.90 WHIP.
2025
Becomes an All-Star, wins 15 games, posts a 2.94 ERA and finishes fifth in AL Cy Young voting.
2026
Continues as a key Mariners starter while dealing with a temporary shoulder issue.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bryan Woo
Who is Bryan Woo?
Bryan Woo is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners.
How old is Bryan Woo?
Woo was born January 30, 2000, making him 26 years old in 2026.
What team does Bryan Woo play for?
He plays for the Seattle Mariners.
When did Bryan Woo make his MLB debut?
Woo made his MLB debut on June 3, 2023.
Was Bryan Woo an All-Star?
Yes. He was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game in 2025.
How good was Bryan Woo in 2025?
He went 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA, 198 strikeouts and a 0.93 WHIP in 30 starts. He finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting.
What happened to Bryan Woo’s shoulder?
Woo experienced right shoulder soreness in August 2026, causing him to miss a scheduled start. He subsequently threw a bullpen session and reported feeling good. (CBS Sports)
Is Bryan Woo injured right now?
He has recently dealt with shoulder soreness, but the latest reporting indicates he was progressing toward a return rather than facing a season-ending injury.
What is Bryan Woo’s career ERA?
Woo’s current career ERA is 3.44, with 529 strikeouts and a 1.01 WHIP over 534 innings.
Final Thoughts
Bryan Woo’s rise has been one of the more impressive pitching stories in Seattle.
A sixth-round pick who entered professional baseball after elbow surgery has developed into an MLB All-Star, a top-five Cy Young finisher and one of the Mariners’ most important starters.
His 2025 season was the clearest indication of his ceiling, when he posted a 2.94 ERA, struck out 198 batters and established himself among the American League’s best pitchers.
The 2026 season has been more complicated.
His ERA has risen to 4.10, and a recent shoulder issue briefly interrupted his rotation schedule. But Woo’s strikeout numbers and 1.08 WHIP suggest there is still plenty of ability to work with.
At just 26, Woo still has plenty of time to develop.
If he can stay healthy and regain his 2025 form, Bryan Woo could become much more than an All-Star—he could become the ace the Seattle Mariners have been looking for.
