Luke Weaver

Luke Weaver Bio

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

Early Life and Background

Luke Weaver was born on August 21, 1993, in DeLand, Florida, where he grew up as a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays. He graduated from DeLand High School in 2011. Although he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 19th round of the 2011 MLB draft, he opted to pursue college baseball instead. Weaver attended Florida State University from 2012 to 2014, where he played for the Florida State Seminoles. During his time at Florida State, he also participated in collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Path to Baseball

At Florida State University, Weaver had a successful college career. As a sophomore in 2013, he achieved a 7–2 win-loss record with a 2.29 earned run average (ERA) in 17 games, including 15 starts. In 2014, as a junior, he improved his performance to an 8–4 record with a 2.62 ERA in 16 starts. His strong collegiate performance led to his selection by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft, where he was picked 27th overall.

Luke Weaver Career

Early Career (2016–2018)

Luke Weaver made his professional debut for the GCL Cardinals after signing with the St. Louis Cardinals on June 16, 2014. He was promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals in August of that year. In 2015, he earned the Cardinals’ July Pitcher of the Month Award after posting a 3–1 record and an 0.94 ERA in 28.1 innings pitched. Weaver was named the Cardinals’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2016 after compiling a 1.40 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 77 innings for the Springfield Cardinals. He made his MLB debut on August 13, 2016, against the Chicago Cubs, where he pitched four innings and struck out three batters.

Breakthrough (2019–2022)

After a successful start to his career, Weaver was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks on December 5, 2018, in exchange for Paul Goldschmidt. In 2019, he had a solid season with a 2.94 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 64.1 innings. However, his performance declined in 2020, where he led the National League in losses with a 1–9 record and a 6.58 ERA. Weaver transitioned to a relief role in 2022 but faced injuries that limited his appearances. He was traded to the Kansas City Royals in August 2022, where he continued to struggle.

Notable Works and Milestones

Weaver’s signature work includes his time with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was recognized as a top prospect and earned accolades for his minor league performance. His transition to the bullpen marked a significant change in his career trajectory, and he has since adapted to various roles within different teams.

Luke Weaver Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Luke Weaver has received recognition for his performances, particularly during his minor league years, where he was named the Cardinals’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2016.

Luke Weaver Awards Won

Luke Weaver has not yet secured major awards in the MLB but has been acknowledged for his achievements in the minor leagues, including being named to the All-Star team during his time with the Palm Beach Cardinals.