NEW YORK – The Yankees acquired Ryan Weathers to fill a hole in their rotation. Pitching coach Matt Blake sees something bigger. He believes the 26-year-old left-hander has untapped potential that could make him a top-line starter.
Blake shared his view of Weathers on Friday, just days before pitchers and catchers report to Tampa. The pitching coach made it clear that health remains the top priority. But once Weathers stays on the mound, Blake plans to unlock an arsenal that already draws comparisons to some of the MLB’s best lefties.
“The most important thing is to keep him on the field,” Blake said on Yankees Hot Stove. “There is a ceiling that has not yet been touched.”
Injuries have masked talent
Weathers pitched just 38 innings last season for the Marlins. A flexor strain in spring training caused him to miss time. A lateral ligament strain in June ended his year. Injuries have defined his career so far. He has never pitched more than 94 innings in a single MLB season.
But when healthy, Weathers is elite material. In 2025 he averaged 96.9 mph with his four-seam fastball. He is the second best left-handed pitcher in baseball. Only AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal threw harder from the left side.
His libero generated a 51% miss rate in 2024. He is one of the best in MLB. His changeup produced 40.6% misses last season. Raw tools demonstrate their potential. The execution has been left behind.
Blake’s development plan
The Yankees want Weathers to change the way he attacks hitters. Last year he relied heavily on his four-seam fastball, with 44.5% usage. His sinker only reached 3.9%. Blake believes a different mix of pitches could transform his results.
“We’re going to dig into it a little more in the next few days, but it’s probably more of a usage adjustment, especially with a lot of left-handed hitters,” Weathers said after the change. “I don’t feel like I’m using my two-needle hitters when I could open up the zone a little bit for my four-needle hitter and my sweeper.”
The plan mirrors what Blake did with Max Fried and Carlos Rodon last season. Both pitchers increased their use of the sinker. Both improved their secondary pitches. Weathers already added more than a half-foot of downward movement to his changeup after moving from San Diego to Miami. That sense of pitch development suggests he can continue to make adjustments under Blake.
Comparisons with elite companies
Statcast comparisons place Weathers alongside some of the best pitchers in baseball. Jesus Luzardo. Tarik Skubal. Garrett Crochet. All three struck out more than 200 batters last season. Similarity scores measure the speed and movement of pitches. They show that Weathers has the makings of dominating.
MLB.com named Weathers a breakout candidate in 2026, comparing his situation to Bryan Woo’s emergence with the Mariners last year. Woo finished in the top five of the AL Cy Young race after flying under the radar.
Weathers enters spring training feeling better than he has in months. “It’s the best I’ve felt physically in a year and a half,” he told SNY after the exchange.
Critical role in a depleted rotation
The Yankees need Weathers to step up immediately. Gerrit Cole will miss Opening Day as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. His return is scheduled for May or June. Carlos Rodon had a bone spur removed and may not be ready until April or May. Clarke Schmidt could miss the entire 2026 season after his own elbow surgery.
That leaves Max Fried as the anchor of the rotation. Cam Schlittler and Will Warren provide depth. Luis Gil offers another option. Weathers also fits into the mix. The club also has Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn available.
Blake has transformed pitchers before. He helped Michael King go from a directionless rookie to the centerpiece of the trade with Juan Soto. The question now is whether he can work similar magic with Weathers.
A family connection with pinstripes
Weathers has a special bond with the Yankees. His father, David Weathers, pitched for the team during the 1996 World Series championship. The elder Weathers only allowed one run in 11 postseason innings that October. Now Ryan has the chance to make his own memories in the Bronx.
“Pure shock,” Weathers said when he learned of the trade. “I just couldn’t believe the New York Yankees were a team I could have a chance to play for.”
The Yankees acquired him from Miami on January 14 in exchange for four prospects. Outfielders Dillon Lewis and Brendan Jones led the pack. Infielders Dylan Jasso and Juan Matheus also went to the Marlins. Weathers agreed to a $1.35 million salary through 2026 and remains under team control through 2028.
“It’s a great atmosphere,” Weathers said of Yankee Stadium. «I have loved playing there on the road. They are the big leagues. “I’m excited.”
Blake and his staff will get a full look at Weathers starting Feb. 11, when pitchers and catchers report to George M. Steinbrenner Field. The roof remains intact. That could change this spring.
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