Ryan Weathers Is Throwing Heat - and the Yankees Might Have Found a Hidden Gem
The Yankees didn’t make a splashy move for a frontline starter this offseason, but they may have quietly added a high-upside arm with real potential to impact their pitching staff in 2026. Ryan Weathers, the 25-year-old lefty acquired in a low-key trade with the Marlins, is already turning heads in spring training - and not just because of his pedigree or promise. He’s throwing gas.
In a live batting practice session on Sunday, Weathers was clocked at 98.5 mph with his fastball - in February. That’s a serious uptick from his 2025 average velocity and a strong early sign that he’s healthy and ready to compete.
For a guy who’s battled injuries throughout his career, that kind of velocity jump is more than just a footnote. It’s a statement.
A Look Back at 2025: Flashes of What Could Be
Weathers’ 2025 season with the Marlins was brief but intriguing. He logged 38.1 innings over eight starts, posting a 3.99 ERA and going 2-2.
The strikeout numbers ticked up (8.69 K/9), and he kept the walks in check (2.82 BB/9). The home run rate (1.64 HR/9) is a bit high, but not alarming for a flyball pitcher who lives in the mid-to-upper 90s.
What really stands out is his pitch mix. His four-seamer averaged 96.9 mph and held hitters to a .260 average - solid, especially when paired with his sweeper, which was downright nasty.
Thrown at 83.8 mph, the sweeper limited opponents to a .174 average. That’s elite territory for a secondary pitch and gives Weathers a legitimate out pitch against both righties and lefties.
His changeup (87.3 mph) was less effective, with a .286 average against, but the velocity separation from his fastball adds deception.
Now, with the heater already touching 98.5 mph in camp - nearly two ticks above his 2025 average - there’s reason to believe the Yankees’ pitching infrastructure is already helping him tap into more. Whether it’s health, mechanics, or both, Weathers isn’t easing into spring. He’s coming in hot.
Where He Fits: Rotation Depth or Bullpen Weapon?
The Yankees’ rotation picture is still taking shape. Gerrit Cole is expected to return from Tommy John surgery to lead the staff, but behind him, it’s a mix of veterans and young arms fighting for innings. That’s where Weathers comes in - with the kind of versatility that can make a difference over a long season.
If he holds his current strikeout and walk rates, Weathers profiles as a solid back-end starter - a fourth or fifth guy who can give you five or six competitive innings and keep the bullpen fresh. But his stuff, especially that sweeper and the newfound velocity, also plays up in shorter stints. That opens the door to a high-leverage bullpen role, especially in the postseason, where matchups and swing-and-miss stuff become even more valuable.
There’s also Carlos Lagrange in the mix - another high-octane arm with triple-digit heat - and if he locks down a late-inning role, the Yankees could use Weathers as a flexible piece who bridges the gap between starter and closer. That kind of depth and adaptability is gold in October.
The Health Question
Of course, none of this matters if Weathers can’t stay on the mound. Injuries have been the biggest obstacle in his career, and the Marlins’ willingness to move him despite the upside says as much. The Yankees are betting that their training staff and pitching development group can help keep him healthy and effective.
He only threw 38.1 innings last year, so durability is still a question mark. But if the Yankees can get 100 to 120 innings out of him - whether as a starter, reliever, or some hybrid role - that’s a massive win.
His sweeper is a weapon, and his fastball is trending in the right direction. The upside is real.
A Smart Gamble
The Yankees didn’t bring in Ryan Weathers expecting him to headline the rotation. They brought him in because he’s a 25-year-old lefty with elite velocity, a swing-and-miss secondary pitch, and the ability to fill multiple roles. That’s exactly the kind of arm that can make or break a season - not because he’s the star, but because he’s the glue guy who can step in when needed and deliver.
If he stays healthy, he’s a rotation piece. If he doesn’t, he’s a weapon out of the bullpen. Either way, the Yankees have added a valuable arm to their staff - and one that could pay off in a big way when the games start to matter most.