Luke Weaver

Luke Allen Weaver (born August 21, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners.

Weaver attended Florida State University, where he played college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles. The Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2016. He was traded to the Diamondbacks after the 2018 season and moved to the bullpen in 2022. He continued to struggle and would be released midseason by the Royals, Reds and Mariners. Weaver found success with the Yankees and was named their closer in September 2024.

Early life and career

Weaver grew up a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He graduated from DeLand High School in DeLand, Florida, in 2011. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 19th round of the 2011 MLB draft, but did not sign, choosing to go to college.

Weaver attended Florida State University and played college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles from 2012 to 2014. After the 2012 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League. As a sophomore in 2013, he had a 7–2 win–loss record with a 2.29 earned run average (ERA) in 17 games (15 starts). In 2014, as a junior, he was 8–4 with a 2.62 ERA in 16 starts.

Professional career

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Weaver in the first round with the 27th overall pick of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Cardinals on June 16 and made his professional debut for the GCL Cardinals. He was promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals on August 1. In six starts between the two teams, he was 0–1 with a 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP.

Weaver spent 2015 with Palm Beach. He earned the Cardinals July Pitcher of the Month Award after compiling a 3–1 record and an 0.94 ERA in innings pitched (IP) in five starts. He also struck out 27 and walked only two during the month. ''Baseball America'' selected Weaver for the high Class-A minor leagues All-Star team for the 2015 season, In 19 total starts for Palm Beach in 2015, he pitched to an 8–5 record and 1.62 ERA.

''Baseball America'' ranked Weaver as the Cardinals' fourth-best prospect prior to the 2016 season. He did not make his 2016 debut for the Springfield Cardinals until June 4 because of a fractured left wrist sustained while running down fly balls during batting practice in spring training. In their updated mid-season ranking, ''Baseball America'' rated Weaver in the top-100 for the first time, at 75th. After posting a 1.40 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched with Springfield, the Cardinals promoted Weaver to the Memphis Redbirds on August 3.

On August 13, 2016, the Cardinals called Weaver up from Memphis to make his major league debut and start in place of injured starter Michael Wacha against the Chicago Cubs. He struck out his first major league opponent, Dexter Fowler. Weaver pitched four innings, giving up two runs, four hits, three walks and three strikeouts for no decision in an eventual 8–4 win. Weaver spent the remainder of the season with St. Louis. After the season, MLB Pipeline named him the Cardinals 2016 Minor League Pitcher of the Year due to his success with the Springfield Cardinals, where he posted a 6–3 record and 1.40 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched. The Cardinals also named Weaver their 2016 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. In nine games (eight starts) for St. Louis, he pitched to a 1–4 record and 5.70 ERA.

Weaver began his 2017 season back in Memphis, where he earned the title of Pacific Coast League Player of the Month after posting a 2.19 ERA in 37 innings for the month of May. He was recalled and optioned multiple times during the season before he was recalled for the remainder of the season on August 17. In 15 starts for Memphis, Weaver compiled a 10–2 record and 2.55 ERA and in 13 games (ten starts) for the Cardinals he pitched to a 7–2 record and 3.88 ERA.

Weaver began 2018 with St. Louis as a member of their starting rotation, but was moved to the bullpen in mid-August after compiling a 6–11 record with a 4.67 ERA in 24 starts. He finished the 2018 season with a 7–11 record, a 4.95 ERA, and a 1.50 WHIP in 30 games (25 starts).

Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 5, 2018, the Cardinals traded Weaver, Carson Kelly, Andy Young, and a draft pick to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Paul Goldschmidt. He appeared in just 12 games in 2019, producing a 2.94 ERA with 69 strikeouts in innings.

In 2020, Weaver went 1–9 with a 6.58 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 52 innings. He led the NL in losses. On May 27, 2021, Weaver was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. On September 1, Weaver was activated from the injured list. Over 13 starts for the 2021 season, Weaver went 3–6 with a 4.25 ERA.

Weaver began the 2022 season as a relief pitcher, but went on the injured list with elbow inflammation on April 10. On May 28, the Diamondbacks shifted Weaver to the 60-day injured list retroactively. He was activated on June 12. In 2022 with Arizona, he was 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA in 12 games.

Kansas City Royals

On August 1, 2022, the Diamondbacks traded Weaver to the Kansas City Royals for infielder Emmanuel Rivera. With the Royals in 2022, he was 0-0 with a 5.59 ERA in 14 games."Luke Weaver,"
Baseball Reference.

On October 26, 2022, the Seattle Mariners claimed Weaver from the Royals off of waivers. On November 18, he was non-tendered and became a free agent.

Cincinnati Reds

On January 13, 2023, Weaver signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. In 21 starts for Cincinnati, he struggled to a 6.87 ERA with 24 home runs and 85 strikeouts in 97 innings pitched. On August 16, Weaver was designated for assignment by the Reds. He was released by Cincinnati on August 18.

Seattle Mariners

On August 22, 2023, Weaver signed a one-year major league contract with the Seattle Mariners. In 5 appearances for Seattle, he logged a 6.08 ERA with eight strikeouts in innings. On September 10, Weaver was designated for assignment by the Mariners.

New York Yankees

On September 12, 2023, the New York Yankees claimed Weaver off of waivers. He made three starts, pitching to a 3.38 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 13.2 innings. He became a free agent following the season and the Yankees signed him to a one-year contract with a $2.5M club option for 2025 on January 19, 2024.

For the 2024 season, Weaver pitched as a reliever. Beginning in September, Weaver served as the Yankees' closer following struggles from Clay Holmes. On September 6, he earned his first career save, pitching a scoreless ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Weaver converted all four of his save chances in September, producing 25 strikeouts over 12 innings and holding opposing hitters to a .438 OPS during the month. In 84 innings pitched, Weaver had a 2.89 ERA and 103 strikeouts compared to just 26 walks.

Weaver remained the Yankees' closer to begin their postseason run. In the 2024 ALDS, Weaver saved all three wins against the Royals, striking out five and allowing zero runs in four innings. Weaver blew his first career save in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, but he rebounded in Game 5, pitching two scoreless innings and earning the win as the Yankees advanced to the 2024 World Series. In November 2024, the Yankees exercised the club option on Weaver's contract. Since 2024, Weaver's entrance song at home games has been "Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright.

During the offseason, the Yankees traded for Devin Williams, who became the team's closer. On April 27, manager Aaron Boone announced that Williams was being demoted, and that Weaver would return to the role. He strained his hamstring while warming up on June 1, and was placed two days later on the injured list.

Personal life

Weaver is married to Olivia Weaver. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, in October 2019. Weaver is a Christian.

References

External links

Florida State Seminoles bio
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Weaver, Luke
1993 births
Living people
Arizona Complex League Diamondbacks players
Arizona Diamondbacks players
Baseball players from Volusia County, Florida
Brewster Whitecaps players
Cincinnati Reds players
Florida State Seminoles baseball players
Gulf Coast Cardinals players
Kansas City Royals players
Louisville Bats players
Major League Baseball pitchers
Memphis Redbirds players
New York Yankees players
Palm Beach Cardinals players
Sportspeople from DeLand, Florida
Reno Aces players
Seattle Mariners players
Springfield Cardinals players
St. Louis Cardinals players
Surprise Saguaros players