Yankees reliever Luke Weaver excels by outthinking, not overpowering

Follow Us

In the high-octane bullpen battles, Luke Weaver has emerged as the Yankees’ secret weapon in 2025—all while defying conventional wisdom about power pitching.

Three weeks into the campaign, Luke Weaver boasts an unblemished record: nine innings pitched without surrendering a single run, permitting just two hits and five walks while fanning nine batters. His spotless 0.00 ERA extends an impressive streak dating back to late 2024, with 15 consecutive scoreless regular-season appearances.

The remarkable aspect of Weaver’s early dominance? He insists his best form remains untapped.

“I’m proud of what I’ve been doing thus far because I feel like I haven’t clicked into my top-shelf self,” the Yankees bullpen ace said following the team’s sweep of Kansas City at Yankee Stadium. “But I feel really convicted and confident.”

However, his performance proves it beyond doubt that the Yankees’ choice of Devin Williams as their top bullpen ace at the cost of Weaver is certainly deceptive.

Success through reinvention

Weaver’s transformation from starter to reliever last season proved pivotal, establishing him as a late-inning force despite a notable velocity decline. His four-seam fastball, which averaged 95.7 mph in 2024, now registers at just 93.2 mph. Undeterred, he’s shifted his approach to emphasize precision, movement, and deception over raw power.

“I got to be mindful that this ain’t coming out the same,” Weaver explained. “So I can’t pitch the same way. I have to come with the same conviction and confidence… I’ve got to mix. I’ve got to deceive.”

This velocity reduction has necessitated tactical adjustments, yet the results speak volumes. Weaver has become increasingly effective at generating weak contact and securing critical outs when the pressure mounts.

The Yankees’ versatile bullpen weapon

While offseason acquisition Devin Williams arrived with closer credentials, Weaver has arguably become the relief corps’ most crucial component. Often deployed in high-stakes middle-inning scenarios, he’s thrived as the team’s firefighter.

Tuesday’s contest against the Royals illustrated his value perfectly. Entering in the seventh with two runners aboard and two outs, protecting a slim two-run advantage, Weaver required merely two pitches—a 93.7 mph fastball followed by an 86 mph changeup—to induce a rally-killing groundout.

“There’s pivotal points in games… [that are] game-changing moments right there,” the relief ace said. “The adrenaline feels the same if I’m running out in the ninth inning or if I’m running out in that inning.”

Weaver has inherited five baserunners this season without allowing any to score—a clutch performance that has contributed significantly to the Yankees’ solid 11-7 start.

Managerial confidence and seasonal optimism

Manager Aaron Boone has consistently praised Weaver’s reliability and command, noting that despite a decrease from last season’s impressive strikeout rate (11.04 K/9 in 2024), he’s generating softer contact and working with exceptional efficiency.

“His execution has been really good,” Boone said. “Hopefully as it warms up as the season unfolds, there’s more velocity in there.”

Weaver shares this expectation, suggesting that warmer conditions might restore his velocity. He characterized April as “probably the coldest” month of his pitching career.

Weaver beyond the radar gun

Though his fastball has lost some zip, Weaver’s changeup remains a formidable weapon, while his cutter has yet to be solved by opposing hitters. His adaptability, precision, and situational awareness have transformed him into a tactical asset for the Yankees.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s 100 [mph] or if it’s 90 [mph],” Weaver said. “You find a competitive edge to get the person out.”

Even if he’s generating more contact outs than whiffs, the ultimate metric remains unchanged: he’s consistently securing outs.

“If it’s less swing-and-miss and less strikeout and more contact, ground ball, fly ball — outs are outs,” he said.

Future implications for the Yankees

As the Yankees navigate early rotation challenges, Weaver’s bullpen consistency provides vital stability for Boone’s pitching staff. His demonstrated ability to dominate despite diminished velocity underscores his versatility.

For a championship-minded organization, having a pitcher capable of handling diverse situations with composure and adaptability may prove more valuable than pure velocity.

And should Weaver eventually rediscover his “top-shelf” form?

American League opponents will face an even more formidable challenge from the Yankees’ emerging bullpen star.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Follow Us