Luke Weaver is reclaiming his career in a new role as closer for the New York Yankees

When Luke Weaver re-signed with the New York Yankees last January, he hoped to revive his flagging career as a starting pitcher.

Ten months later, the 31-year-old is an integral part of the team’s postseason campaign. For the first time in his career, Weaver never started a game during the season. Instead, he had his best year ever, entirely out of the bullpen.

In 62 appearances, he compiled a record of 7-3, 4 saves and a 2.89 ERA. In 84 innings, he allowed just 52 hits and 26 walks and struck out 103. All four saves and three of his wins came in the Yankees’ final 21 games, when he gave up just one run in eight outings and had 24 strikeouts in 11 innings.

Weaver is far from a rookie, although he is comfortably sailing through previously uncharted career waters, an “overnight sensation” he has spent 11 years building.

He took over when Clay Holmes faltered, although manager Aaron Boone took a while to make the move happen. That was understandable. Holmes has been reliable over the past two seasons, totaling 44 saves and a 2.70 ERA. This year, he didn’t allow a run in his first 20 appearances through May 20th. Through June 9, Holmes had 19 saves and a 1.23 ERA.

Suddenly, Holmes gave up eight runs in his next seven appearances. New York went 1-6 in those games. He was normal for a month until he completely collapsed on September 3rd. Holmes scored four runs in just a third of an inning in a loss to Texas. It was his 13th blown save.

Three days later, Boone used Weaver as his goalkeeper. The Yankees moved past the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East Division that night as Weaver secured a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

“I couldn’t see straight,” Weaver told reporters afterward. “I was unconscious most of the time. I was full of adrenaline, but it was a great time.

The Yankees won the division by three games, thanks largely to their 6-foot-2 receiving prospect.

“Hot Hand Luke”

One of actor Paul Newman’s most memorable roles was in the 1967 film “Cool Hand Luke.” At the moment, Weaver is “Hot Hand Luke” and is receiving rave reviews.

Weaver never had a save in his first 198 career games. He had never pitched in the postseason until last Saturday, when he got the final four outs and saved a 6-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of an AL Division Series. The winner was Holmes, who was Weaver’s biggest fan.

“The last three outs are not easy,” Holmes said The New York Post. “Getting into the dugout, cooling down and getting back out is hard. What he does is a huge boost for the team.”

Weaver changed his approach as the season progressed, removing his slider and curve to utilize a cutting fastball more often. He also changed the handle of his four-seam fastball and changeup. Both pitches went from good to great. The speed of the four-seater increased, the change decreased and gained movement. Boone noticed.

“He’s definitely performed well in the biggest moments so far,” the manager told MLB.com. “He’s probably a better pitcher than he’s ever been in his life, and that’s a credit to him for some of the adjustments he’s made and the way he’s taken to going into the bullpen.” He had an outstanding season.”

Weaver appeared in all four games of the ALDS, saving all three of New York’s victories as the Yankees advanced to the AL Championship Series in the Cleveland Guardians’ decisive Game 5 against the winner of the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

Five more teams

Weaver was considered a future star after signing with the St. Louis Cardinals out of Florida State as the 27th pick in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft for $1,843,000. He rarely lived up to his billing.

He played three disappointing seasons for the Cardinals from 2016 to 2018, going 15-17 with a 4.79 ERA in 52 games, including 43 as a starter.

In 49 games (38 starts) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Weaver went 9-19 with a 4.72 ERA and was dealt to Kansas City in 2022. He played 14 games as a reliever and posted an ERA of 5.59.

He signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent for 2023 and got worse: 2-4 record, 6.87 ERA in 21 starts and was released on August 18. The Seattle Mariners picked up the remainder of his one-year, $2 million contract. Weaver didn’t help them either: 0-1. 6.01 ERA in 13 1/3 innings. On September 13, the Yankees claimed him off waivers and Weaver somewhat salvaged his season, going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA over three starts.

On January 19, he re-signed with the Yanks for $2.5 million this year with an option for 2025. The option included a number of bonuses, largely based on the innings pitched as he originally signed was in the running for a rotation spot.

An unfavorable comparison

The option will almost certainly be taken up – and adjusted, since Weaver has already received a reward. Who knows what other rewards might come?

This will be the Yankees’ 11th trip to the postseason since they last appeared in the World Series in 2009. These 10 “failures” don’t sit well with the vocal New York fans who were expecting a long-time record 28. Time to make up for the World Series championship.

Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera was closest to the team as New York went 5-2 in seven World Series games from 1996 to 2009. In 96 postseason games, Rivera was on another planet: an 8-1 record, 0.70 ERA and 42 saves.

Luke Weaver is not Mariano Rivera. But he has a chance to join him as a Yankees hero and champion.