Julian Merryweather Bio
Julian Christopher Merryweather (born October 14, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher. Over the course of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he has played for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Chicago Cubs, while also spending time in the minor league systems of the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins. A right-handed relief pitcher, Merryweather has built his career on the strength of his strikeout ability and his resilience through injuries.
Merryweather first attracted attention as a high school standout at Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, and later sharpened his skills in college baseball. Selected in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians, he has continued to compete professionally across multiple organizations, most recently signing a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins in February 2026.
Early Life and Background
Julian Christopher Merryweather was born on October 14, 1991, in Berkeley, California. Growing up in the Bay Area, he was surrounded by a strong baseball culture that helped shape his early interest in the sport. He attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, where he excelled in baseball and developed into a promising pitching prospect.
His performance at Junípero Serra High School drew attention from college programs, and Merryweather continued his playing career at the collegiate level. He attended Skyline College before transferring to Oklahoma Baptist University, where he spent two seasons pitching for the Bison. During his time at Oklahoma Baptist University, Merryweather posted an impressive 22–5 win–loss record, a 1.73 earned run average (ERA), and 208 strikeouts, establishing himself as one of the top collegiate arms in the program.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his standout college career at Oklahoma Baptist University, Julian Christopher Merryweather entered the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft, where he was selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Indians. The draft selection marked the official start of his professional career, and he quickly moved through Cleveland’s minor league system.
Merryweather made his professional debut with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, where he posted a 1–2 record with a 3.66 ERA in 13 games. He progressed through affiliates such as the Lake County Captains, Lynchburg Hillcats, Akron RubberDucks, and Columbus Clippers, eventually earning a spot on Cleveland’s 40-man roster after the 2017 season. His steady rise through the Indians’ system demonstrated his potential as a future major league pitcher.
Julian Merryweather Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Julian Christopher Merryweather began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians organization after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He spent his first full seasons in the lower minors, refining his command and developing his pitching repertoire. By 2016, he had advanced to the Lynchburg Hillcats and Akron RubberDucks, combining for a 13–6 record and 2.60 ERA across 24 games started.
In 2017, Merryweather split the season between Akron and the Columbus Clippers, finishing with a 7–9 record and 5.32 ERA. He was added to Cleveland’s 40-man roster at the end of that year. Unfortunately, his momentum was halted during spring training in 2018, when he injured his pitching elbow. The Indians announced that he would require Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the entire 2018 season.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2019–2022)
On October 5, 2018, Julian Christopher Merryweather was sent to the Toronto Blue Jays as the player to be named later from the trade that sent Josh Donaldson to Cleveland. After recovering from surgery, he returned to the mound in 2019 with the Gulf Coast Blue Jays and Dunedin Blue Jays, later pitching for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League.
Merryweather made his major league debut on August 20, 2020, against the Philadelphia Phillies, and started his first MLB game six days later. In 13 appearances during the shortened 2020 season, he posted a 4.15 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 13 innings. His Blue Jays tenure was repeatedly interrupted by injuries, including oblique strains in both 2021 and 2022, but he remained a valued member of the bullpen when healthy.
Chicago Cubs Era (2023–2025)
On January 17, 2023, Julian Christopher Merryweather was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs, beginning a new chapter in his career. His most productive season came in 2023, when he appeared in 69 games out of the bullpen and registered a 3.38 ERA with 98 strikeouts across 72 innings of work, establishing himself as a reliable late-inning option.
The 2024 season proved difficult, as Merryweather dealt with a right shoulder strain and a rib stress fracture that landed him on the 60-day injured list. He returned in July but struggled to a 6.60 ERA in 15 games before undergoing patellar tendon debridement surgery on his knee in September, ending his season. In 2025, he made 21 appearances for Chicago, posting an 0–1 record and 5.79 ERA, before being designated for assignment on May 24 and released on May 30.
Driving Style and Strengths
Julian Christopher Merryweather is recognized for his strikeout ability, having accumulated 177 career strikeouts in the majors. As a relief pitcher, he has shown the capability to handle high-leverage situations when healthy. His experience across multiple organizations has allowed him to adapt his approach and continue contributing out of the bullpen.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Julian Christopher Merryweather’s career came on August 20, 2020, when he made his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays against the Philadelphia Phillies. His standout 2023 campaign with the Chicago Cubs, where he recorded 98 strikeouts across 72 innings, also stands out as a career highlight.
Julian Merryweather Career Statistics
Through the 2025 MLB season, Julian Christopher Merryweather has compiled a 6–7 win–loss record, a 4.72 earned run average (ERA), and 177 strikeouts in his major league career. His professional journey has included stints in the minor league systems of several organizations, including the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Julian Christopher Merryweather appeared in 13 games for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2020 season, posting a 4.15 ERA with 15 strikeouts. In 2023, he enjoyed his most productive year with the Chicago Cubs, registering a 3.38 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 69 appearances. His major league career has been marked by resilience, as he has repeatedly returned from injuries to contribute on the mound.
Julian Merryweather Personal Life
Background
Julian Christopher Merryweather was born and raised in Berkeley, California, before moving south to attend Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo. His educational path took him through Skyline College and Oklahoma Baptist University, where his college statistics placed him among the top pitchers in the program’s history.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be a transitional year for Julian Christopher Merryweather. He began the year with the Chicago Cubs, making 21 appearances and posting an 0–1 record with a 5.79 ERA across 18+1⁄3 innings before being designated for assignment on May 24 and released on May 30.
Following his release from Chicago, Merryweather signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on June 7, 2025. He appeared in 12 games for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, logging a 1–0 record and 4.50 ERA with 15 strikeouts and two saves, before being released by the Mets organization on August 2. On August 8, he joined the Milwaukee Brewers organization on a minor league deal, pitching for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, where he posted a 7.36 ERA in 11 innings. Merryweather elected free agency on November 6, 2025.
Looking ahead, Julian Christopher Merryweather signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins on February 12, 2026, signaling his intention to continue his professional career. His journey across multiple organizations reflects his determination to remain in professional baseball despite the challenges he has faced.
