In the heart of Tennessee, the small town of Loretto, with its modest population of around 3,000, has become an unexpected cradle of baseball talent. This unassuming community has produced two Major League Baseball players: Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers and Giants pitching prospect Blade Tidwell.
Weathers and Tidwell share more than just their hometown. They grew up playing travel ball together and were high school teammates at Loretto High School, where they clinched a state championship in 2017. Despite being two years apart, their bond remains strong.
The Giants' opening series against the Yankees almost saw these two talents face off, but Tidwell was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento just before the season began. Still, Weathers is confident that his friend will soon make his mark in San Francisco. "He's got a really good arm, and I'm excited for him," Weathers remarked.
Their journey together began when Weathers was about 12. Tidwell, slightly younger, joined his travel team, and the two have been training partners ever since.
They both benefited from the guidance of Weathers' father, David, a former Major League pitcher with a 19-season career. "My dad was very old-school, focusing on mechanics," Weathers shared.
"Blade’s got really good stuff, and he's getting better and better."
Tidwell echoed this sentiment, highlighting their offseason bullpen sessions and the use of advanced tools like TrackMan to refine their skills. "David was my coach from a young age, and I have a pretty good relationship with them," Tidwell said.
Weathers was drafted by the Padres in 2018 and made his Major League debut in 2020. Tidwell, on the other hand, chose a different path, heading to the University of Tennessee to play under Giants manager Tony Vitello. His college career paved the way for him to become a second-round pick for the Mets in 2022.
Vitello credits the Weathers family for Tidwell's polished approach. "Training with them meant he was already a pro in how he handled his routines," Vitello explained. "It’s a testament to the environment he grew up in."
Tidwell made his Major League debut with the Mets last May, appearing in four games before being traded to the Giants. While he awaits his first call-up with San Francisco, Weathers believes the Giants are a perfect fit. "It's a good change of scenery, and he has familiar faces here," Weathers noted.
Reflecting on their shared roots, Weathers is proud of their journey from Loretto to the big leagues. "Our high school has just over 400 students, and we have two big leaguers from the same age group," he said.
"It's cool to have another friend like me at this level. I want to see him perform well and succeed."