When Luke Weaver re-signed with the New York Yankees last January, he was hoping to jump-start his flagging career as a starting pitcher.
Ten months later, the 31-year-old is integral to the team’s post-season run. Weaver never started a game during the season for the first time in his career. Instead, he had his best year ever, all out of the bullpen.
KANSAS CITY: Luke Weaver of the New York Yankees reacts to getting the final out against the Kansas … [+] City Royals in Game 4 of the AL Division Series at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday night. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
In 62 appearances, he compiled a 7-3 record, 4 saves and 2.89 ERA. In 84 innings, he allowed only 52 hits and 26 walks, striking out 103. All four saves and three of his wins came in the Yankees’ final 21 games when he gave up only one run across eight outings, striking out 24 over 11 innings.
Weaver is far from being a rookie though he is smoothly sailing through previously uncharted career waters, an “overnight sensation” 11 years in the making.
He took over when Clay Holmes faltered, though it took manager Aaron Boone a while to make the switch. That was understandable. Holmes had been reliable the past two seasons, totaling 44 saves and a 2.70 ERA. This year, he did not allow a run in his first 20 outings until May 20. By June 9, Holmes had 19 saves and a 1.23 ERA.
MIAMI: Manager Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees takes the baseball from Clay Holmes during a … [+] pitching change against the Miami Marlins. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Suddenly, Holmes gave up 8 runs over his next 7 outings. New York went 1-6 in those games. He was ordinary for a month until a total collapse on Sept. 3. Holmes coughed up 4 runs in just 1/3 of an inning in a loss to Texas. It was his 13th blown save.
Boone used Weaver as his closer three days later. The Yankees moved past the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East Division that night as Weaver saved a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.
“I couldn’t see straight,” Weaver told reporters afterwards. “I was blacked out for the most part. I was on pure adrenaline, but it was a great time.
The Yankees won the division by three games, largely thanks to their 6-foot-2 reclamation project.
‘Hot Hand Luke’
One of actor Paul Newman’s most memorable roles was in the 1967 movie “Cool Hand Luke”. Right now, Weaver is “Hot Hand Luke” and receiving rave reviews.
Weaver never had a save in his first 198 career games. He had never pitched in the post-season until last Saturday, when he got the final four outs to save a 6-5 win over the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of an AL Division Series. The winning pitcher was Holmes, who was Weaver’s biggest fan.
“It’s not easy, those last three outs,’’ Holmes told The New York Post. “To come in (to the dugout) and cool down and go back out is hard. What he’s doing has been a huge boost for the team.”
Weaver changed his approach during the season, eliminating his slider and curve to utilize a cut fastball more. He also altered the grip on his four-seam fastball and changeup. Both pitches went from good to great. The four-seamer’s velocity increased, the change decreased and gained movement. Boone noticed.
“He’s definitely performed well in the biggest moments so far,” the manager told MLB.com. “He’s a better pitcher than he’s probably ever been in his life, and that’s a credit to him for some of the adjustments he’s made and how he’s embraced going to the bullpen. He’s had an outstanding season.”
Weaver appeared in all four games of the ALDS, saving all three of New York’s victories as the Yankees advanced to the AL Championship Series against the winner of the Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians decisive Game 5 on Saturday.
Five Other Teams
Weaver was considered a future star after signing with the St. Louis Cardinals for $1,843,000 out of Florida State as the 27th pick in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. Yet he entered 2024 with a 27-42 record and career ERA near 5.00.
He pitched three disappointing seasons for the Cardinals from 2016 through 2018, going 15-17 with a 4.79 ERA in 52 games, 43 of them starts.
SAN FRANCISCO: Luke Weaver pitches for the St Louis Cardinals against the San Francisco Giants at … [+] AT&T Park on July 5, 2018. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
In 49 games (38 starts) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Weaver went 9-19 with a 4.72 ERA and was dealt to Kansas City in 2022. He worked 14 games in mop-up relief, compiling a 5.59 ERA.
He signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent for 2023 and got worse: 2-4 record, 6.87 ERA in 21 starts and was released on August 18. The Seattle Mariners picked up what was left on his one-year, $2 million contract. Weaver didn’t help them, either: 0-1. 6.01 ERA in 13 1/3 innings. On Sept. 13, the Yankees claimed him on waivers. Weaver somewhat salvaged his season by going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA over three starts.
He re-signed with the Yanks last Jan. 19 for $2.5 million this year with an option for 2025. The option included a series of bonuses, most based upon innings pitched as he was originally in the mix to battle for a rotation spot.
An Unfavorable Comparison
The option almost assuredly will be picked up – and tweaked as Weaver already has earned a reward. Who knows what other rewards could come?
This is the Yankees’ 11th trip to the post-season since last getting to the World Series in 2009. Those 10 “failures” do not sit well with raucous New York fans who have expected to add a record 28th World Series Championship for a long time.
NEW YORK: Left to right, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera of the New York … [+] Yankees celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 to win the World Series at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 4, 2009. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera was the team’s closer as New York went 5-2 in seven World Series from 1996 until 2009. In 96 post-season games, Rivera was on another planet: an 8-1 record, 0.70 ERA and 42 saves.
Luke Weaver is not Mariano Rivera. But he has a chance to join him as a Yankees hero and champion.
