After high school,Woo enrolled at Cal Poly to play college baseball for the Mustangs. As a freshman in 2019,he pitched to an 8.75 ERA over 23+2⁄3 innings. He returned to play for the Oilers that summer.[5] He pitched only 17+2⁄3 innings for Caly Poly in 2020 before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he had a 6.11 ERA over 28 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the rest of the season.[6] Woo started six of the 31 games he pitched in college, finishing with a 4–7 win–loss record, one save, a 6.49 ERA, and 89 strikeouts in 69+1⁄3 innings.[7][8]
Woo started 2023 with the Double-AArkansas Travelers.[17] In nine starts, he had a 3–2 record and 2.05 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched.[16] On June 2, the Mariners announced that Woo would be promoted to the major leagues to start the following day against the Texas Rangers.[18] Starting in place of Marco Gonzales, Woo had one of his worst starts of the season, allowing six runs in two innings.[19][20][21] He won his first MLB game in his fourth start, a win over New York Yankees on June 22. He finished his rookie season with a 4–5 record, 4.21 ERA, and 92 strikeouts in 87+2⁄3 innings.[22]
Despite several injuries, Woo improved in 2024. He began the season on the injured list with elbow inflammation.[23][24] He made his first start on May 10. In his first six starts, he posted a 1.07 ERA, the lowest in Mariners history to begin a season.[25][26][3] He was scratched from his next start on June 11[27] and made two more starts, earning losses in both outings, before returning to the injured list on June 25 with a hamstring injury. He was activated on July 12, resuming his turn in the Mariners rotation.[25][28][29] He ended 2024 with a 9–3 record and 2.89 ERA, striking out 101 batters in 121+1⁄3 innings over 21 starts, all improvements from his rookie season.[30] He was the best MLB starting pitcher at avoiding base on balls, walking 2.6 percent of batters faced.[31]
Woo was the Mariners' most consistent pitcher to begin the 2025 season. He pitched at least 6 innings in his first 22 starts, a franchise record.[32][33][34] He was named to the All-Star Game.[35] On July 10, he brought a no-hitter into the 8th inning against the Yankees.[36] Before the All-Star break, he was third in the American League in strikeout-to-walk ratio and walk rate.[37]
Pitching style
Woo primarily throws a four-seam fastball and sinker that both average 95mph (153km/h). His offspeed pitches are a slider and changeup.[38] He throws his fastball and sinker close to 75 percent of the time, more frequently than most of his contemporary starters. He also throws a high percentage of strikes, which limits his base on balls.[39][26][40] Woo throws from a low arm slot and has a low release point, which can make it difficult for batters to hit his pitches hard.[6][41][42]
Personal life
Woo was born in Oakland, California and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area with his parents and sister.[8][43] His parents attend all of his MLB starts.[update][44] His paternal grandparents were born in China and moved to the United States.[45][46] His maternal grandfather died July 2025, shortly before he pitched in the All-Star Game.[44]
As a child, Woo was a fan of the San Francisco Giants. His favorite player was Brandon Crawford.[3][47] In 2024, Woo became the last person born in Oakland to play an MLB game in Oakland.[48]
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