Gregory R. Weissert Bio
Gregory R. Weissert is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Born in Bay Shore, New York, Weissert has built a reputation as a reliable reliever with a devastating slider. He began his professional career after the New York Yankees selected him in the 18th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. After making his major league debut with the Yankees in 2022, Weissert was traded to the Boston Red Sox in December 2023. Throughout his career, he has represented the United States at the minor league level and earned recognition for his impressive strikeout ability and closing experience in the Yankees farm system.
Early Life and Background
Gregory R. Weissert grew up in Bay Shore, New York, and attended Bay Shore High School, where he excelled in multiple sports. He was an all-county selection in both baseball and volleyball, demonstrating his athletic versatility from an early age. Weissert has Italian ancestry through his paternal grandmother, who emigrated to the United States from Calabria. Although he was not raised in a traditionally Italian American household, this heritage would later play a role in his international baseball career.
After graduating from Bay Shore High School, Weissert continued his academic and athletic career at Fordham University in the Bronx. He played three seasons for the Fordham Rams baseball team, developing into a polished collegiate pitcher. During his junior season, Weissert posted a 5-4 win-loss record with a 4.04 earned run average and 82 strikeouts across 14 starts. In the summer of 2015, he further refined his skills by playing for the Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League, a prestigious summer collegiate baseball league known for developing professional prospects.
Path to Professional Baseball
Weissert entered the 2016 MLB Draft with a strong collegiate resume and impressive amateur credentials. The New York Yankees recognized his potential and selected him in the 18th round with the 539th overall pick. After signing with the organization, Weissert began his professional career in the lower levels of the minor leagues, assigned first to the Pulaski Yankees in the Appalachian League. His early professional performance quickly earned him a promotion to the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs, where he continued to develop his repertoire on the mound.
Throughout his ascent through the Yankees farm system, Weissert consistently demonstrated the ability to miss bats and limit opposing hitters. Baseball America rated him as having the best slider in the Yankees minor league system heading into the 2021 season, highlighting his signature pitch as a potential major league weapon. His ability to generate swings and misses with his breaking ball became his calling card as he climbed toward the highest level of the sport.
Gregory R. Weissert Career
New York Yankees (2016-2023)
Weissert steadily progressed through the Yankees minor league ranks over several seasons. After beginning his career with Pulaski and Charleston in 2016, he spent the 2017 season with the Low-A Staten Island Yankees. The 2018 campaign saw him return to Charleston before earning a mid-season promotion to the High-A Tampa Tarpons of the Florida State League. With Tampa, Weissert recorded 50 strikeouts with a 2.62 ERA over 34 and one-third innings pitched, showcasing his dominance at the High-A level.
The 2019 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Weissert. He began with Tampa before earning a promotion to the Double-A Trenton Thunder, where he posted a stellar 1.88 ERA across 14 relief appearances. His strong performance culminated with a promotion to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders for their postseason run. After a condensed 2020 minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Weissert returned in 2021 with Somerset Patriots, the Yankees new Double-A affiliate, before earning another promotion to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after recording a remarkable 0.71 ERA in just over 12 innings of work.
On August 25, 2022, the Yankees promoted Weissert to the major leagues. His debut that night against the Toronto Blue Jays waseventful, as he hit a batter with his first pitch, committed a balk, hit another batter with his second pitch, and allowed two walks before being removed from the game. Despite the rocky introduction, Weissert settled in and collected his first career win on August 30, tossing two scoreless innings in a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. He served as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre closer during the 2022 season before the promotion. Weissert began the 2023 season with the Yankees organization before his trade to Boston.
Boston Red Sox (2024-Present)
On December 5, 2023, the Yankees traded Weissert along with Richard Fitts and Nicholas Judice to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo. The trade represented a significant change for Weissert, moving him from the storied Yankees franchise to their historic AL East rivals. He joined a Red Sox bullpen looking to rebuild after a disappointing 2023 season and immediately became part of the team’s long-term plans for their pitching staff.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Weissert features a mid-90s fastball paired with an exceptional slider that generated numerous swing-and-miss results throughout his minor league career. His slider, rated as the best in the Yankees system, serves as his primary out-pitch and generates chase rates well above league average. As a former college starter who transitioned to relief work, Weissert possesses the durability to work multiple innings when needed while also having the stuff to handle high-leverage situations. His experience as a closer in Triple-A provided him with the mental preparation necessary for pressure-packed appearances in big games.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his club career, Weissert achieved a significant milestone in November 2025 when he was selected to represent the Italy national baseball team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He qualified for selection through his paternal grandmother, who emigrated from Calabria. His former Yankees teammate Ron Marinaccio helped facilitate contact with the Italian baseball federation, opening the door for Weissert to compete internationally on the sport biggest stage outside of MLB. This selection marked the first time Weissert represented his heritage at the international level.
Gregory R. Weissert Career Statistics
Through June 25, 2026, Weissert has compiled a 13-9 win-loss record with a 3.37 earned run average and 178 strikeouts across his major league career spanning portions of four seasons with the Yankees and Red Sox. His ability to limit walks and miss bats has translated to the major league level, where he has established himself as a reliable bullpen option capable of handling various roles from middle relief to late-inning work.
MLB Career Summary
Weissert made his major league debut on August 25, 2022, with the New York Yankees. His first career win came five days later against the Los Angeles Angels, a game where he showcased his ability to pitch effectively in high-pressure situations by retiring both batters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings with runners on base. Over his time with the Yankees from 2022 to 2023, Weissert appeared in 24 games, establishing himself as a promising young arm in their bullpen depth.
Since joining the Red Sox in December 2023, Weissert has become an integral part of the Boston pitching staff. His first full season with the organization in 2024 allowed him to log significant innings and gain valuable experience in a new league and ballpark. The transition to Fenway Park and the American League East presents unique challenges, but Weissert has adapted well, continuing to demonstrate the strikeout ability that characterized his minor league career.
Gregory R. Weissert Family
Family Background and Heritage
Weissert traces his ancestry to Italy through his paternal grandmother, who immigrated to the United States from Calabria. This heritage became significant in his career when he was selected to represent Italy in international competition. Although he was not raised in a traditionally Italian American household, the connection to his family roots played a meaningful role in his decision to pursue international baseball opportunities with the Italian national team.
Personal Life
In January 2021, Weissert married Abigail. The couple has built their life together as Weissert continues his professional baseball career. Despite the demands of a professional athlete schedule, including spring training, the regular season, and potential postseason play, Weissert has maintained a strong personal life with the support of his wife. His marriage predates his major league debut, having occurred during his time in the Yankees minor league system when he was working toward his dream of reaching the majors.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented an important year in Weissert career as he entered his third season with the Boston Red Sox organization. After establishing himself in the Red Sox bullpen during the 2024 campaign, he looked to build upon his experience and take on an expanded role within the team pitching staff. The American League East remains one of baseball most competitive divisions, and Weissert contributions proved valuable as the Red Sox sought to compete for a playoff spot throughout the summer months.
Weissert current statistics through mid-season 2025 reflected his consistent ability to miss bats and limit base runners. His 3.37 career ERA demonstrated his effectiveness at the major league level, while his strikeout numbers indicated the continued quality of his stuff against big league hitters. Working under the Red Sox coaching staff, Weissert refined his approach and pitch sequencing to maximize his effectiveness in various game situations. The presence of experienced catchers and a strong defensive team behind him provided additional support for his success on the mound.
Beyond his club commitments, Weissert prepared for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, where he would represent Italy alongside other players of Italian descent. The opportunity to compete internationally while maintaining his major league career presented a unique challenge, but Weissert embraced the chance to honor his heritage while continuing to develop as a professional pitcher. His selection by the Italian national team reflected both his on-field performance and his family background, creating a meaningful connection between his personal history and his athletic achievements.