Luke Weaver, born on August 21, 1993, in DeLand, Florida, is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He was drafted in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and made his MLB debut on August 13, 2016.
Weaver gained recognition for his strong performances during his college career at Florida State University, where he showcased his talent with a notable 2.29 ERA in 2013.
Throughout his career, Weaver has played for several MLB teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, and Seattle Mariners.
His journey has been marked by both impressive outings and challenges related to performance and injuries.
Siblings
Luke has two siblings, a brother named Ben and a sister named Virginia.
While specific details about their lives are not widely publicized, they are part of Weaver’s family background, which he occasionally shares with fans and followers.
Career
Weaver attended Florida State University (FSU), where he played for the Seminoles.
During his time at FSU, Weaver showcased his skills as a pitcher, particularly in the 2013 season when he posted an impressive 2.29 ERA.
His performance earned him recognition and set the stage for his entry into professional baseball.
In 2014, Weaver was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the MLB Draft (27th overall).
He quickly progressed through the Cardinals’ minor league system and made his MLB debut on August 13, 2016.
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In his debut season, Weaver demonstrated promise with a solid performance that hinted at his potential as a future star.
Weaver spent several seasons with the Cardinals, where he had moments of brilliance but also faced challenges.
He recorded a career-high 10 wins in 2017 and showed flashes of being a reliable starter. However, injuries began to plague him, impacting his performance and limiting his time on the mound.
In July 2020, Weaver was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. His time with Arizona was marked by inconsistency, as he struggled to find his rhythm.
After his stint with the Diamondbacks, Weaver signed minor league contracts with the Kansas City Royals and later the Cincinnati Reds.
During this period, he continued to work on his mechanics and regain form but faced ongoing challenges related to injuries and performance.
In 2023, Weaver joined the Seattle Mariners but was soon claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees in September. This move marked a turning point in his career.
Upon joining the Yankees, Weaver transitioned from starting pitcher to relief pitcher. This change proved beneficial for both him and the team.
In September 2024, he became the Yankees’ closer and delivered an outstanding performance throughout the month, earning multiple saves and maintaining an impressive 2.89 ERA over 84 innings pitched during the season.
Weaver’s success continued into the postseason. In the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Kansas City Royals, he saved all three games without allowing any runs.
Although he faced some challenges in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Cleveland Guardians, he rebounded effectively to help secure victories for his team.
Accolades
Weaver has received several accolades throughout his baseball career, reflecting his talent and contributions to the sport.
Notably, he was named a Baseball America High Class A All-Star in 2015 while playing for the Palm Beach Cardinals, showcasing his early promise in the minor leagues.
In 2024, Weaver achieved significant recognition as the closer for the New York Yankees.
He became the first Yankees pitcher since Aroldis Chapman in 2017 to record multiple five-out saves in a postseason.
Additionally, he was the first pitcher on any team to save his team’s first four postseason wins since Neftalí Feliz did so for the Texas Rangers in 2011.
His postseason performance was impressive, as he did not surrender an earned run from September 2 until a home run allowed during Game 2 of the ALCS, spanning 17 innings and 13 appearances.
Weaver’s regular season in 2024 also highlighted his capabilities, as he posted a 2.89 ERA with 103 strikeouts over 84 innings pitched.
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