Ryan Weber shines for Yankees bullpen, sheds journeyman tag

Yankees relief pitcher Ryan Weber
Inna Zeyger
Saturday May 20, 2023

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As he took to the mound on Friday in Cincinnati, the Yankees expected Ryan Weber‘s calm demeanor to put them in an advantage. And he did it.

Tough and seasoned, the 88-mph sinker thrower has an ERA of 4.99. Despite being designated 10 times in his career so far, Ryan Weber carries a healthy dose of humility. He is content with his identity and makes no effort to alter it.

Ryan Weber told that he doesn’t rely on high fastball velocity and his pitching style aligns with his persona while discussing his absence from the Yankees’ 6-2 win on Friday night. His ability to maintain composure in a high-pressure scenario benefited the Yankees on Thursday night though this was not Ryan Weber’s typical role.

Ryan Weber pays back manager’s trust

Manager Aaron Boone called on Ryan Weber when he was missing Michael King, Clay Holmes, Wandy Peralta, and Jimmy Cordero on the same night. With a 3-1 lead against the Blue Jays, Ryan Weber was tasked with keeping the Yankees in the game.

His day got off to a bad start, what with Nestor Cortes putting a runner in scoring position and the first two batters he faced reaching base via single and walk. This loaded the bases, putting Ryan Weber in a difficult position on the field.

However, Ryan Weber held his cool under intense pressure and induced Brandon Belt to fly out to left field. The third base runner unexpectedly didn’t try out. The Yankees maintained their advantage as a result. His performance in that crucial situation demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion and make the correct choices under pressure.

The crowd at Rogers Centre peaked shortly after when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came off the bench for a pinch hit. Even though the stakes were high, Ryan Weber was able to slow down Guerrero’s power with an 88 mph sinker he threw inside. Therefore, Guerrero was only able to hit a sacrifice fly, sparing the Yankees a potentially game-changing hit.

On the other hand, Ryan Weber didn’t end there. His composure and efficiency on the mound were often on display. He then faced George Springer and got him to fly out. This allowed the Yankees to maintain their advantage as he sidestepped potential danger. Thanks to Weber’s cool composure under fire, the squad was able to weather a difficult stretch of the game without losing their advantage.

Ryan Weber gets admiration from teammates

According to Ron Marinaccio, who closed out the win after Albert Abreu’s flawless eighth inning, Ryan Weber’s performance was described as incredible. Marinaccio expressed admiration for his unwavering composure in any given situation, noting that his calmness remains consistent. Having known Ryan Weber for about a year and a half, Marinaccio spoke highly of his presence and skills. Despite not being a power pitcher, Weber’s ability to manipulate the baseball and consistently deliver quality pitches impressed Marinaccio. Like the rest of the bullpen, Weber exudes confidence in his abilities, which makes observing his success in crucial moments enjoyable for his teammates.

In baseball, teams often utilize more than 30 relievers throughout the course of a season. Ryan Weber is the kind of player who doesn’t always receive the spotlight they deserve, but who is still crucial to his team’s success. He put on a terrific display this week, demonstrating his worth to the Yankees. First, he threw 2 ¹/₃ scoreless innings in Tuesday’s victory after Domingo German’s ejection in the fourth inning. Then, on Thursday, Ryan Weber showed that he could handle tough situations, which showed how important he was to the team.

No more solely a journeyman

Boone expressed the significance of Ryan Weber’s performance while at Thursday’s game facing the Reds at Great American Ball Park. He highlighted his importance for the team’s success and emphasized the collective effort required for a winning team and acknowledged that not everyone can contribute consistently every night. However, in a crucial and tightly contested game, Ryan Weber stepped up and played a pivotal role, making a significant impact on the team.

Ryan Weber began the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a starting pitcher. On May 11, however, his contract was renewed, and he promptly returned to his regular work. Since he had often filled in as a replacement throughout his time in the majors, he was able to make the transition with ease.

Ryan Weber has been picked up by many organizations since the Braves selected him in the 22nd round of the 2009 draft. He is now playing for his sixth club, the New York Yankees. He has previously been part of the Mariners on two occasions, as well as the Rays, Red Sox (two stints), and Brewers.

The Yankees have demoted him to the minors four times, but the 32-year-old is unfazed and is committed to making it back to the majors. Despite the fact that he will soon be given a fifth name, he is focused and motivated to achieve his goals.

According to Aaron Judge, Ryan Weber possesses exceptional pitching abilities. Judge commended Weber’s repertoire of pitches, particularly his sinker and slider combination, which showcase significant movement. Judge also acknowledged that facing Weber in at-bats is challenging due to the deceptive movement of his pitches, despite the perceived lower velocity. Ryan Weber demonstrated precise execution of his pitches during his outing.

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