Kris Liang joined the Santa Clara Cardinals in Summer 2023 and immediately established himself as one of the organization’s most versatile and dependable two-way players. A Menlo Park native, Liang is known for his fierce competitiveness, confident mound presence, and steady defensive work at third base. Whether taking the ball as a starter or driving in key runs from the middle of the order, he consistently rises to the moment.

A 2023 All-Star, Liang embodies the Cardinals’ culture of resilience and accountability, serving as both a leader and tone-setter on the field.

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Career Overview

Across 49 career games, Liang has been a productive and disciplined offensive contributor, posting a .280 batting average, .430 OBP, and .819 OPS. He’s totaled 33 hits, 19 RBIs, 16 walks, and 5 stolen bases, combining patience with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. His approach allows him to contribute even when hits aren’t falling, making him a reliable presence in the lineup.

On the mound, Liang has been one of the Cardinals’ most heavily relied-upon arms. Over 70.2 career innings, he’s struck out 78 batters across 22 appearances (11 starts), often taking on tough matchups and extended workloads. His pitch mix—highlighted by a late-breaking slider and heavy fastball—has allowed him to succeed in both starting and relief roles.

Defensively, Liang has logged significant time between third base and pitcher, showcasing strong arm strength, quick reactions, and dependable instincts at the hot corner.

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Fall 2025

In Fall 2025, Liang once again provided steady two-way value while embracing a veteran leadership role. Offensively, he appeared in 4 games, reaching base at a .375 OBP, drawing walks, and driving in 2 runs—helping extend innings and keep pressure on opposing pitching staffs despite limited plate appearances.

On the mound, Liang made 2 appearances (1 start) and worked 2 innings, striking out 3 batters while holding opponents to a .167 batting average, which ranked among the lowest opponent averages on the Cardinals’ pitching staff during the fall. His ability to throw strikes and compete in key situations provided stability during a season with frequent pitching rotation changes.

Defensively, Liang continued to add value by covering both third base and pitcher, giving the Cardinals flexibility in roster construction and late-game decision-making. His experience and composure remained a calming presence throughout the fall campaign.

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Summer 2025

Summer 2025 saw Liang take on one of the largest workloads of his Cardinals career. At the plate, he appeared in 13 games, recording 5 hits, 2 RBIs, and a .323 OBP, continuing to show patience and situational awareness against deeper pitching staffs.

On the mound, he served as one of the staff’s primary innings-eaters, pitching 26 innings across 8 games (6 starts). He struck out 20 batters, recorded a complete game, and consistently worked deep into outings—often tasked with facing opponents’ top hitters multiple times through the order.

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Summer 2024

Liang’s Summer 2024 campaign was brief but dominant, marking one of the most efficient offensive stretches of his career. In 7 games, he hit .500 (4-for-8) with a .667 OBP and 1.417 OPS, including 2 doubles and 3 runs scored—one of the highest single-season OPS marks in team history.

On the mound, he was equally sharp, throwing 12.2 innings with a 2.84 ERA, striking out 15 batters, and limiting hard contact throughout the season. His command and efficiency made him one of the Cardinals’ most trusted arms during that stretch.

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Fall 2023

Fall 2023 marked Liang’s emergence as a true two-way force. Offensively, he batted .333 with a .500 OBP and .929 OPS, scoring 7 runs and driving in 5 while anchoring the heart of the lineup during the Cardinals’ playoff push.

He also continued to refine his pitching approach, contributing valuable innings and proving capable of attacking hitters deep into counts with confidence and composure.

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Summer 2023 (All-Star Rookie Season)

Liang’s rookie season in Summer 2023 set the foundation for his Cardinals career. Over 17 games, he hit .291 (16-for-55) with 9 RBIs, 5 walks, and a triple, earning a well-deserved All-Star selection.

On the mound, he appeared in 10 games (4 starts), striking out an impressive 40 batters in 30 innings. His immediate two-way impact, competitive edge, and durability quickly established him as a cornerstone of the Cardinals roster moving forward.

 

Records & Honors:
🌟 All-Star Selection (Summer 2023)

 

Team-Leading Stats:

Summer 2025:

• Triples (1)

Summer 2023:

• Strikeouts (40)