Luke Weaver, the newest addition to the New York Yankees, couldn’t be happier to be sharing a team with Aaron Judge rather than facing him on the mound.
Luke Weaver, who was previously with the Cincinnati Reds, had firsthand experience with Aaron Judge‘s formidable hitting abilities during a May 20 matchup when he faced the 2022 AL MVP. Unfortunately for Weaver, that encounter resulted in three hits, including an RBI single with a blistering exit velocity of 115.1 mph and an RBI double at 103.9 mph. Judge capped off that memorable game by delivering a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning, going 4-for-4.
From facing Aaron Judge to partnering with him: Luke Weaver’s journey to the Yankees
Now donning the pinstripes, Luke Weaver relished the opportunity to witness Judge’s brilliance as he slugged three home runs in a triumphant 7-1 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks, on Friday, September 22. Luke Weaver expressed his admiration for Judge, recalling their time together in college in the Cape Cod League, where Judge’s humility stood out. He marveled at Judge’s consistent ability to crush the baseball and quipped, “I mean, the guy just hits the ball so hard, I’m surprised he doesn’t have a bazillion homers.”
Luke Weaver, 30, celebrated his first win with the Yankees after delivering 5.1 scoreless innings during the aforementioned game. This marked his second appearance with the team, following a previous outing where he allowed three runs in four innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was also his debut at the iconic Yankee Stadium, a place he had missed during his previous trips as an opponent. The experience left him in awe, describing himself as a fan and even arriving early for his throwing program to soak in the atmosphere.
The journey to the Yankees has been a winding one for Luke Weaver. Originally selected in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014, he spent three seasons with them before embarking on stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, and Seattle Mariners. The Yankees claimed him off waivers on September 12, 2023.
Throughout his career, Luke Weaver has posted a record of 27-41 with a 5.14 ERA and endured injuries, including shoulder strain, elbow inflammation, and an elbow flexor strain over the past three seasons.
Weaver is making the most of his time with the Yankees, describing himself as a “sponge” as he learns from seasoned veterans like Gerrit Cole. He seeks to absorb knowledge and adapt his approach to reach his full potential. In his recent outing against the Diamondbacks, Weaver recorded three strikeouts without issuing a walk, throwing 78 pitches. With just a week left in the MLB season, he aims to conclude what he describes as a “whirlwind” year on a strong note.
Reflecting on his performance, Luke Weaver views it as a great foundation to build upon. He acknowledges the challenges of transitioning from his old team to the Yankees, a prominent franchise in the baseball world, but he is determined to showcase his capabilities. As he continues to refine his game and adapt, Luke Weaver looks forward to making a significant impact in his new home in New York.
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