Ryan Weathers wasn’t born but when his father, David, gained the 1996 World Collection with the Yankees, however he’s heard the tales.
Earlier this week, Weathers had simply wrapped up a bullpen and sat within the sauna earlier than crashing onto his sofa when the cellphone rang. It was Peter Bendix, GM of the Marlins, telling him he’d simply been traded to the Yankees, bringing him one other step down the identical path his father walked within the massive leagues.
“We’ve had bizarre, related paths to New York,” Weathers mentioned, “having each been with the Marlins, then going to the Yankees. He nonetheless says that in ‘96, when he received that massive punchout, it’s the loudest he’s ever heard Yankee Stadium.”
He’s not overstating something right here, it actually was a giant punchout. In Sport 6 of the 1996 World Collection at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees had been up 3-1 within the sixth when Chipper Jones doubled to steer off the inning. Weathers’ father, David, was introduced in behind Jimmy Key to face Javy López, who he struck out with a breaking ball. Now, 30 years later, the youthful Weathers will get to chase his personal second in The Bronx.
You may hear it in Weathers’ voice, the real pleasure to be placing on the pinstripes. This implies one thing extra to the 26-year-old, a chance to relaunch his profession after accidents restricted him to only eight begins final season with the Marlins.
The Yankees want him, too. This rotation will slowly get stronger because the season stretches on, however Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt will all open the season on the IL as they rehab from surgical procedures. Rodón possible returns early within the season, Cole in Could or June and Schmidt later within the season if all goes properly, however within the meantime, Weathers is certainly one of many starters who might want to step up. There’s a large alternative sitting in entrance of him now.
“I talked to Cashman, talked to Boonie. It was simply pure shock,” Weathers mentioned. “I simply couldn’t imagine that the New York Yankees had been a group that I might ever have an opportunity to play for.”
Like so many others with massive league bloodlines, Weathers’ relationship together with his father isn’t all about the right way to grip his two-seamer and which pitches to throw in a 2-2 rely. Rising up across the Main Leagues can demystify the large stage and the intense lights, which helped Weathers cope with adversity and the expectations of being the No. 7 total choose in 2018. He’s already been traded earlier than, too, from the Padres to the Marlins in 2023. All of these clubhouse classes maintain following him round, particularly from his father’s days with the Reds later in his profession, when Ryan was rising up and “simply wished to hit bombs within the outfield.”
“I keep in mind being within the locker room and Joey Votto being within the nook. I keep in mind Ken Griffey Jr.,” Weathers mentioned. “Cincinnati is what I keep in mind probably the most. I simply keep in mind pops taking me to the sector daily. I do know when his arm was hurting, he’d nonetheless throw me BP.”
A wholesome Weathers is extremely priceless to the Yankees. That’s why New York put collectively a package deal of prospects that included outfielder Brendan Jones, outfielder Dillon Lewis, infielder Dylan Jasso and infielder Juan Matheus. Jones (No. 15), Lewis (No. 16) and Jasso (No. 23) had been all ranked among the many Yankees’ high 30 prospects, in line with MLB Pipeline.
Weathers has labored to “lengthen” his lat muscle and again by way of coaching, which had been downside areas for him in 2025, and he’s excited in regards to the progress he’s made. His profession excessive in innings got here as a rookie again in 2021 (94 2/3), in order that’s value monitoring because the season goes on, however his first project is to assist get this Yankees rotation by way of the early days. Quickly, he and pitching coach Matt Blake will begin diving into new concepts.
“We’re going to get into it extra within the coming days, nevertheless it’s in all probability extra of a utilization adjustment, particularly in opposition to left-handed batters,” Weathers mentioned. “I don’t really feel like I’m using my two-seamer as a lot, the place it might open up the zone somewhat bit for my four-seamer and my sweeper.”
The expertise is clear, although. Weathers owns a 3.74 ERA over 24 begins previously two seasons and comes with membership management by way of the 2028 season. His father set a excessive bar with that “massive punchout,” however now Weathers has his personal shot to make Yankee Stadium roar.
