Luke Weaver’s Rise to Prominence in Yankees’ Bullpen During ALDS

The New York Yankees are turning to relief pitcher Luke Weaver as a key component of their bullpen in the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason. This decision has surprised many Cincinnati Reds fans who had witnessed Weaver’s struggles during his stint with their team in 2023. Weaver’s performance for the Yankees during the American League Division Series (ALDS) has been noteworthy, making significant contributions in high-leverage situations across all four games against the Kansas City Royals.

During the series, Weaver recorded saves in each of the Yankees’ three victories, assisting them to advance to the American League Championship Series (ALCS). His most notable outing was a five-out save in Game 3, allowing just two hits without a walk and striking out five out of 15 batters faced across his four ALDS appearances.

Weaver’s success in the postseason follows an impressive regular season where he recorded a 7-3 win-loss record and a 2.89 ERA over a career-high 62 appearances for the Yankees. He was also able to achieve 103 strikeouts in 84 innings, marking a stark contrast to his performance with the Cincinnati Reds in 2023. While with the Reds, he started in 21 games, posting a 6.87 ERA and surrendering 24 home runs over 97 innings before being released in August of that year.

After his release from the Reds, Weaver joined the Seattle Mariners where he continued to struggle with a 6.08 ERA in five appearances. The Yankees claimed him off waivers in September 2023, and following spring training, decided to move him into a bullpen role—a move that proved to be pivotal for both Weaver and the Yankees.

Weaver’s journey has seen him traversing several teams. After originally being drafted 27th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and later to the Kansas City Royals. Each team used him in various capacities before the Mariners acquired him off waivers.

In their current postseason lineup, the Yankees’ bullpen has emerged as a crucial strength, boasting the sixth-best ERA during the regular season. Their resilience was demonstrated during Wednesday’s game when four relief pitchers, including Weaver, successfully completed the final 13 outs against the Royals. Giancarlo Stanton’s decisive home run secured the Yankees’ win in Game 3 of the series.

The Yankees have relied on the versatility and depth of their bullpen throughout the season, maintaining a strong performance despite numerous injuries. Closer Clay Holmes and middle relievers like Tommy Kahnle have played significant roles alongside Weaver. “The bullpen was great,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented on the collective efforts of his pitchers.