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Luke Weaver

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For the English footballer, see Luke Weaver (footballer).
Luke Weaver
Weaver with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016
New York Yankees – No. 30
Pitcher
Born: (1993-08-21) August 21, 1993 (age 31)
DeLand, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 13, 2016, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record34–45
Earned run average4.85
Strikeouts674
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

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

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Weaver grew up a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB).[1] He graduated from DeLand High School in DeLand, Florida, in 2011.[2] 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.[3]

Weaver pitching for the Florida State Seminoles in 2014

Weaver attended Florida State University and played college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles from 2012 to 2014.[4][5][6] After the 2012 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[7] 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.[8]

Professional career

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St. Louis Cardinals

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The St. Louis Cardinals selected Weaver in the first round with the 27th overall pick of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.[9][10] He signed with the Cardinals on June 16[11] 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 28+1⁄3 innings pitched (IP) in five starts. He also struck out 27 and walked only two during the month.[12] Baseball America selected Weaver for the high Class-A minor leagues All-Star team for the 2015 season,[13] 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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]

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.[17] 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.[18] 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.[19] 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.[20]

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.[21] He finished the 2018 season with a 7–11 record, a 4.95 ERA, and a 1.50 WHIP in 30 games (25 starts).[22]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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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.[23][24] He appeared in just 12 games in 2019, producing a 2.94 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 64+1⁄3 innings.[25]

In 2020, Weaver went 1–9 with a 6.58 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 52 innings.[26] He led the NL in losses.[27] On May 27, 2021, Weaver was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.[28] On September 1, Weaver was activated from the injured list.[29] Over 13 starts for the 2021 season, Weaver went 3–6 with a 4.25 ERA.[30]

Weaver began the 2022 season as a relief pitcher,[31] but went on the injured list with elbow inflammation on April 10.[32] On May 28, the Diamondbacks shifted Weaver to the 60-day injured list retroactively.[33] He was activated on June 12.[34]

Kansas City Royals

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On August 1, 2022, the Diamondbacks traded Weaver to the Kansas City Royals for infielder Emmanuel Rivera.[35]

On October 26, 2022, the Seattle Mariners claimed Weaver from the Royals off of waivers.[36] On November 18, he was non-tendered and became a free agent.[37]

Cincinnati Reds

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On January 13, 2023, Weaver signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[38] In 21 starts for Cincinnati, he struggled to a 6.87 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 97 innings pitched. On August 16, Weaver was designated for assignment by the Reds.[39] He was released by Cincinnati on August 18.[40]

Seattle Mariners

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On August 22, 2023, Weaver signed a one-year major league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[41] In 5 appearances for Seattle, he logged a 6.08 ERA with eight strikeouts in 13+1⁄3 innings. On September 10, Weaver was designated for assignment by the Mariners.[42]

New York Yankees

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On September 12, 2023, the New York Yankees claimed Weaver off of waivers.[43] 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.[44]

For the 2024 season, Weaver pitched as a reliever. Beginning in September, Weaver served as the Yankees' closer following struggles from Clay Holmes.[45] On September 6, he earned his first career save, pitching a scoreless ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.[46] 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.[47] In 84 innings pitched, Weaver had a 2.89 ERA and 103 strikeouts compared to just 26 walks.[48]

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.[49] 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.[50] In November 2024, the Yankees exercised the club option on Weaver's contract.[51]

Personal life

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Weaver is married to Olivia Weaver.[52] They welcomed their first child, a daughter, in October 2019.[53] Weaver is a Christian.[54][55]

References

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  1. ^ "Today's Cardinals were yesterday's fans – and they had players they disliked too". Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  2. ^ Sean Kernan sean.kernan@news-jrnl.com (June 18, 2014). "Former DeLand pitcher Luke Weaver signs $1.8 million deal with St. Louis Cardinals – News – Daytona Beach News-Journal Online – Daytona Beach, FL". News-journalonline.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  3. ^ "Cardinals take DeLand product Luke Weaver with 27th pick in first round of MLB Draft". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  4. ^ "Florida State pitcher Luke Weaver continues to shine in ace role". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013.
  5. ^ "DeLand High product Luke Weaver finds his pitch with Florida State". The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
  6. ^ "FSU's Weaver eyes MLB Draft". Tallahassee Democrat. June 4, 2014.
  7. ^ "#14 Luke Weaver – Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  8. ^ "Former DeLand pitcher Luke Weaver signs $1.8 million deal with St. Louis Cardinals". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. June 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals draft Florida State's Luke Weaver No. 27 overall". Tallahassee Democrat. June 5, 2014.
  10. ^ "Cards draft FSU righty Weaver with first pick". St. Louis Cardinals.
  11. ^ "First-round Draft pick Luke Weaver signs with Cardinals". St. Louis Cardinals. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  12. ^ FOX Sports Midwest (August 3, 2015). "Cardinals minor leaguers Anthony Garcia, Luke Weaver earn July honors". Fox Sports Midwest. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  13. ^ "2015 Minor League Classification All-Star Teams". Baseball America. September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  14. ^ Manuel, John (November 16, 2015). "St. Louis Cardinals top 10 prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  15. ^ Staff Report (July 8, 2016). "Midseason top 100 prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  16. ^ Connell, Jim. "Luke Weaver ends his brief stay in Double-A". Springfield News-Leader.
  17. ^ "Lyons to 60-day DL, out for regular season". MLB.com. August 12, 2016. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016.
  18. ^ Muskrat, Carrie; Langosch, Jenifer (August 13, 2016). "Cards find wild way to slam door on Cubs' streak". MLB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  19. ^ Langosch, Jenifer (May 24, 2018). "Cardinals Prospects of the Year: Bader, Weaver". M.cardinals.mlb.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  20. ^ "Luke Weaver Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  21. ^ Post-Dispatch store (August 20, 2018). "Shildt: Moving Weaver (6–11) to bullpen 'not an easy decision' | St. Louis Cardinals". stltoday.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  22. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals 2018 player grades: Starting pitchers | Sports". kmov.com. October 2, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  23. ^ ESPN (December 5, 2018). "Diamondbacks trade Paul Goldschmidt to Cardinals". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  24. ^ Thornburg, Chad (December 5, 2018). "Cardinals trade for Paul Goldschmidt". MLB.com. MLB. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  25. ^ "Luke Weaver Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  26. ^ "Luke Weaver Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  27. ^ "2020 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
  28. ^ "Diamondbacks Move Luke Weaver to 60-Day IL, Select Ryan Buchter". May 27, 2021.
  29. ^ "D-backs reinstate P Luke Weaver from IL and recall OF Stuart Fairchild". September 2021.
  30. ^ "Diamondbacks seek to rebuild from within".
  31. ^ Piecoro, Nick. "Diamondbacks bump Luke Weaver to bullpen". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  32. ^ Piecoro, Nick. "Luke Weaver placed on injured list with elbow inflammation". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  33. ^ "Diamondbacks' Luke Weaver: Shifts to 60-day injured list". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  34. ^ "Diamondbacks' Luke Weaver: Activated from injured list". cbssports.com. June 12, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  35. ^ "Royals send 3B Rivera to Diamondbacks for RHP Weaver". USA Today.
  36. ^ "Mariners Claim Luke Weaver, Designate Derek Hill". October 26, 2022.
  37. ^ "Torrens among three non-tendered by Mariners". MLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  38. ^ "Cincinnati Reds sign free agent pitcher Luke Weaver as candidate for rotation".
  39. ^ "Cincinnati Refs designate Luke Weaver for assignment". redlegnation.com. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  40. ^ "Cincinnati Reds release Luke Weaver". redlegnation.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  41. ^ Clark, Dave (August 22, 2023). "Luke Weaver, who made 21 starts for Cincinnati, Ks 5 in 2 innings for Seattle Mariners". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  42. ^ "Mariners' Luke Weaver: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  43. ^ McDonald, Darragh (April 20, 2023). "Yankees Claim Luke Weaver From Mariners". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  44. ^ "Yankees agree to deal to bring back RHP Luke Weaver". MLB.com. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  45. ^ Blum, Ronald (October 2, 2024). "Luke Weaver becomes Yankees closer after getting cut by Reds and Mariners". AP News. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  46. ^ Hoch, Bryan (September 6, 2024). "Gil 'set the tone for us' during dominant return from IL". MLB.com. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  47. ^ Browne, Ian (October 6, 2024). "Weaver brings 'iron wall' mentality to mound". MLB.com. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  48. ^ https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luke-weaver-on-2024-season-with-yankees-role-in-playoffs
  49. ^ "Luke Weaver let out `ferocious jungle cat' in new role as Yankees closer". AP News. October 11, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  50. ^ De La Fuente, Homero (October 20, 2024). "Soto, Stanton power New York Yankees past Cleveland Guardians to clinch first World Series berth since 2009". CNN. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  51. ^ Castillo, Jorge (November 2, 2024). "Anthony Rizzo a free agent after Yankees decline $17M option". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  52. ^ "The Gift of Life – Luke Weaver". August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  53. ^ "She Will Know She is Loved – Luke Weaver". January 8, 2020.
  54. ^ Carter, Daniel (September 2024). "Yankees' Pitcher Finds Strength in Scripture, Says 'My Foundation Is Built on Rock'". Beliefnet.com.
  55. ^ "'My Weapon Is the Bible': New Kansas City Royals Pitcher Luke Weaver's 'Bible Glove' Is Covered in Scripture". CBN.com. August 12, 2022.
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