Daniel Mengden

Houston Astros

Mengden was drafted by the Houston Astros in the fourth round, with the 106th overall selection, of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.^[2][3][4] He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Astros and was later promoted to the Low-A Tri-City ValleyCats.

In 2015, Mengden started the season with the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits and was promoted to the High-A Lancaster JetHawks after recording a 1.16 ERA.^[5][6] In 10 games (8 starts) for Lancaster, he compiled a 2-1 record and 5.26 ERA with 48 strikeouts across 49+2⁄3 innings pitched.

Oakland Athletics

On July 23, 2015, the Astros traded Mengden and Jacob Nottingham to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Scott Kazmir.^[7]

In 2016, Mengden began the season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds, but was promoted to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on May 1.^[8] With Nashville, he had a 3–1 record with a 1.39 ERA in seven starts.^[8] On June 11, 2016, he made his MLB debut, against the Cincinnati Reds.^[9] He won his first MLB game in the Battle of the Bay against the San Francisco Giants on June 27.^[10]

Mengden would remain in the rotation for the remainder of the 2016 season, finishing with 14 starts for the A's. Mengden recorded 2 wins and 9 losses with 71 strikeouts in 72 innings. In 2017, Mengden spent the majority of the season in the minors, only making 7 starts for Oakland. In 2018, he was 7-6 with an ERA of 4.05 and 72 strikeouts in 22 games (17 starts).^[11]

In 2019, Mengden did not replicate his success as he had done the previous season, going 5-2 with an ERA of 4.83 and 42 strikeouts in 13 games (9 starts).^[11]

During the off-season, Mengden underwent two intestinal surgeries and an arthroscopic elbow surgery. On September 20, 2020, Mengden was designated for assignment by the Athletics.^[12] On October 9, Mengden elected free agency.^[1]

While playing for the A's he was noted for his Rollie Fingers style handlebar mustache.

Kia Tigers

On December 25, 2020, Mengden signed a one-year, $725,000 guaranteed contract plus $275,000 possible performance incentives with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League.^{[13] [1]} He made 21 starts for the Tigers in 2021, posting an 8-3 record and 3.60 ERA with 104 strikeouts across 120 innings pitched. Mengden became a free agent following the season.

Kansas City Royals

On March 8, 2022, Mengden signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals.^[14] Mengden was selected to the 40-man roster on June 13 after Joel Payamps was placed on the COVID-19 injured list.^[15] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers on July 2.

On September 1, Mengden was selected back to the major league roster to make a spot start against the Chicago White Sox.^[16] He went 2+2⁄3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits with 2 strikeouts, taking the loss.^[17] Mengden was designated for assignment by the Royals the following day.^[18] He was again sent outright to Triple–A Omaha on September 4.^[19] He elected free agency on October 6.

On March 29, 2023, Mengden re-signed with the Royals on a minor league deal. In 6 games (3 starts) for Omaha, Mengden struggled to a 7.36 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 14+2⁄3 innings of work. He was released by the Royals organization on June 27.^[20]

Washington Nationals

On July 2, 2023, Mengden signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization.^[21] In 22 games for the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings, he recorded a 7.20 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 35 innings of work. Mengden elected free agency following the season on November 6.^[22]

CTBC Brothers

On January 17, 2024, Mengden signed with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.^[23] In 25 starts for the team, he compiled a 10–3 record and 2.86 ERA with 114 strikeouts across 154 innings pitched. With the Brothers, Mengden won the 2024 Taiwan Series.^[24]

On January 23, 2025, Mengden re-signed with the Brothers.^[25] On March 5, Mengden was released by the Brothers due to failing an internal drug test.^[26]

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos

On March 11, 2025, Mengden signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.^[27]