Luke Allen Weaver Bio
Luke Allen Weaver is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. Born on August 21, 1993, in DeLand, Florida, Weaver has established himself as a versatile arm who has appeared in every conceivable role across his decade in professional baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals originally selected Weaver in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft, and he made his major league debut in 2016. After stints with the Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, and New York Yankees, Weaver joined the Mets ahead of the 2026 season on a two-year contract worth $22 million. Throughout his career, Weaver has transitioned between starting and relieving roles, ultimately finding his stride as a late-inning option, including serving as the Yankees closer during their run to the 2024 World Series.
Early Life and Background
Weaver grew up in DeLand, Florida, as a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. He graduated from DeLand High School in 2011, where his baseball talents were already evident enough that the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 19th round of the 2011 MLB draft. Rather than sign, Weaver chose to pursue higher education and develop his skills at the collegiate level, a decision that would prove instrumental in his development as a professional pitcher.
College Career at Florida State
Weaver attended Florida State University from 2012 to 2014, playing college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles. After his freshman year, he spent the summer of 2012 playing collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier amateur summer leagues in the country. As a sophomore in 2013, Weaver emerged as a reliable starter, posting a 7-2 win-loss record with a 2.29 earned run average in 17 appearances with 15 starts. In his junior season of 2014, he continued his strong performance, compiling an 8-4 record with a 2.62 ERA in 16 starts. These performances positioned him as an attractive prospect for professional teams heading into the 2014 MLB draft.
Luke Allen Weaver Career
St. Louis Cardinals (2016–2018)
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Weaver in the first round with the 27th overall pick of the 2014 MLB draft. He signed with the club on June 16 and began his professional career with the Gulf Coast Cardinals, appearing in six starts between the GCL Cardinals and Palm Beach Cardinals where he went 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA. In 2015 with Palm Beach, Weaver earned Cardinals July Pitcher of the Month honors after going 3-1 with a 0.94 ERA in five starts, striking out 27 batters while walking only two during that span. Baseball America recognized him as a high Class-A minor leagues All-Star for his 2015 season performance, during which he went 8-5 with a 1.62 ERA in 19 starts. Baseball America ranked Weaver as the Cardinals fourth-best prospect heading into 2016.
Weaver’s path to the majors was delayed in 2016 when he sustained a fractured left wrist during spring training while shagging fly balls in batting practice. He did not debut for the Springfield Cardinals until June, but he excelled once there, posting a 1.40 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 77 innings. The Cardinals promoted him to the Memphis Redbirds in August. On August 13, 2016, St. Louis called Weaver up to make his major league debut, starting in place of the injured Michael Wacha against the Chicago Cubs. He struck out his first major league batter, Dexter Fowler, and pitched four innings in a no-decision as the Cardinals won 8-4. MLB Pipeline and the Cardinals organization both named Weaver their 2016 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. In nine games for St. Louis that season, he went 1-4 with a 5.70 ERA.
In 2017, Weaver split time between Memphis and the majors. He earned Pacific Coast League Player of the Month honors in May after posting a 2.19 ERA in 37 innings. For the Cardinals that season, he went 7-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 13 games with ten starts. Weaver began 2018 as part of St. Louis’s starting rotation but was moved to the bullpen in mid-August after compiling a 6-11 record with a 4.67 ERA in 24 starts. He finished the season 7-11 with a 4.95 ERA in 30 appearances.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2019–2022)
On December 5, 2018, the Cardinals traded Weaver to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a package for Paul Goldschmidt, with Carson Kelly, Andy Young, and a draft pick also going to Arizona. In his Diamondbacks debut season of 2019, Weaver pitched in 12 games and produced a 2.94 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 64 and one-third innings. Notably, he hit his only major league home run on March 31, a two-run shot off Pedro Báez. The 2020 season proved difficult as Weaver went 1-9 with a 6.58 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 52 innings, leading the majors in losses during the pandemic-shortened campaign.
Weaver’s 2021 season was interrupted by injury when he was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 27 with a right shoulder strain. He was activated on September 1 and finished the year 3-6 with a 4.25 ERA in 13 starts. In 2022, Weaver transitioned to a relief role with the Diamondbacks but went on the injured list with elbow inflammation on April 10. He was activated on June 12 but struggled in 12 appearances, going 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA before Arizona traded him to Kansas City on August 1.
Kansas City Royals (2022)
Weaver joined the Kansas City Royals in August 2022 in exchange for infielder Emmanuel Rivera. In 14 games with the Royals, he logged a 5.59 ERA. His tenure in Kansas City was brief, as he was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners in October 2022 and then non-tendered by Seattle in November, making him a free agent.
Cincinnati Reds (2023)
Weaver signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds on January 13, 2023. He began the season in the Reds rotation but struggled significantly, going 6-10 with a 6.87 ERA and allowing 24 home runs in 97 innings across 21 starts. On August 16, Cincinnati designated Weaver for assignment, and he was released on August 18.
Seattle Mariners (2023)
Weaver signed a major league contract with the Seattle Mariners on August 22, 2023. He made five appearances with Seattle, posting a 6.08 ERA with eight strikeouts in 13 and one-third innings. The Mariners designated him for assignment on September 10.
New York Yankees (2023–2025)
The New York Yankees claimed Weaver off waivers on September 12, 2023. In three starts with the Yankees to close the season, he posted a 3.38 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 13 and two-thirds innings. He became a free agent after the season but re-signed with the Yankees on January 19, 2024, on a one-year contract with a $2.5 million club option for 2025.
Beginning in September 2024, Weaver assumed closing duties for the Yankees following struggles from Clay Holmes. On September 6, he earned his first career save, pitching a scoreless ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Weaver converted all four of his save opportunities in September, producing 25 strikeouts over 12 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .438 on-base plus slugging percentage during the month. Overall in 2024, he logged a 2.89 ERA with 103 strikeouts compared to just 26 walks in 84 innings pitched, collecting nine saves.
Notable Postseason Performance
Weaver remained the Yankees closer as the team entered the 2024 postseason. In the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals, Weaver saved all three wins, striking out five batters and allowing no runs in four innings. He experienced his first career postseason struggle in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians, blowing his first career save. However, he rebounded strongly in Game 5, pitching two scoreless innings and earning the win as the Yankees advanced to the World Series. Following the season, the Yankees exercised their club option on Weaver’s contract for 2025. His entrance song at Yankee Stadium has been “Dream Weaver” by Gary Wright since 2024.
New York Mets (2026–Present)
On December 22, 2025, Weaver signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the New York Mets. The addition gave the Mets another experienced arm as they built around their core rotation. Weaver brought versatility to Queens, having spent time as both a starter and reliever throughout his career, and he gave the Mets a former closer with playoff experience.
Luke Allen Weaver Career Wins
Across ten major league seasons from 2016 through 2025, Weaver has compiled a career record of 40 wins against 50 losses with a 4.62 earned run average and 785 strikeouts. His career has been defined more by durability and versatility than by gaudy win totals, as he has bounced between starting and relieving roles with multiple organizations. His best seasons as a starter came early in his career with the Cardinals, while his late-career emergence as a closer with the Yankees in 2024 provided his most impactful contribution to date.
New York Yankees Highlights
Weaver’s tenure with the Yankees produced his most notable career moments. His conversion to the closer role in September 2024 marked a turning point in his career, transforming him from a journeyman into a high-leverage option. He finished the 2024 regular season with nine saves and a 2.89 ERA, then added four more saves in the postseason as the Yankees reached the World Series. His ability to pitch multiple innings and his composure in high-pressure situations made him invaluable during the championship run.
Luke Allen Weaver Family
Family Background
Weaver was born and raised in DeLand, Florida, and attended DeLand High School before pursuing his baseball career at Florida State. His Christian faith has been an important part of his life, and he has spoken publicly about the role it plays in his approach to baseball and family.
Personal Life
Weaver is married to Olivia Weaver. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in October 2019. Weaver has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout his baseball career, focusing on his craft while balancing family responsibilities during the grueling MLB season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transition year for Weaver as he reported to spring training with the New York Yankees following their World Series appearance. After beginning the season as the setup man following the Yankees’ trade for Devin Williams, Weaver returned to the closer role on April 27 when the team demoted Williams. His tenure in the closer role was interrupted in early June when he strained his hamstring while warming up in the bullpen, landing him on the injured list. Upon his return, Weaver continued to serve as a key late-inning option for manager Aaron Boone. The Yankees exercised their club option on his contract following the 2024 season, keeping him in pinstripes through at least 2025. His experience and versatility provided the Yankees with a reliable option in high-leverage situations as they sought to return to postseason contention. Weaver’s ability to pitch multiple innings and handle both save and setup situations made him a valuable piece in the Yankees bullpen.