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Ryan Weathers wasn’t born when his father, David, won the 1996 World Series with the Yankees, but he has heard the news.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Earlier this week, Weathers had just rounded up the cowshed and sat down at the salon before plopping down on the couch when the phone rang. It was Peter Bendix, GM of the Marlins, telling him that he had just been traded to the Yankees, bringing him another step down the same path his father had taken in the big leagues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“We’ve had weird, similar paths to New York,” Weathers said, “since we were both with the Marlins, and then they went to the Yankees.” He still says that in 1996, when he got that big punch, it was the loudest sound he’d ever heard at Yankee Stadium.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
He’s not exaggerating here, it was a really big punchout. In Game 6 of the 1996 World Series at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees were up 3-1 in the sixth when Chipper Jones doubled to lead off the inning. Weathers’ father, David, was brought in behind Jimmy Key to face Javy L\u00f3pez, who hit him with a breaking ball. Now, 30 years later, Weathers Jr. is finding his own time in The Bronx.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
You can hear it in Weathers voice, the real joy of pinning. This means more for the 26-year-old, a chance to restart his career after injuries limited him to eight starts last season with the Marlins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Yankees need him, too. This rotation will gradually get stronger as the season progresses, but Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rod\u00f3n and Clarke Schmidt will open the season in the IL as they come back from surgery. Rod\u00f3n could be back early in the season, Cole in May or June and Schmidt later in the season if all goes well, but for now, Weathers is one of many starters who will need to step up. There is a great opportunity sitting in front of him now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“I talked to Cashman, I talked to Boonie. It was just a shock,” Weathers said. “I couldn’t believe that the New York Yankees were a team that I might have a chance to play for.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Like many others with major league bloodlines, Weathers’ relationship with his father isn’t just about how to catch his two-seamers and what pitches to throw for a 2-2 count. Growing up around the Major Leagues could eliminate the big stage and bright lights, which helped Weathers deal with the adversity and expectations of being the No. 1 prospect. 7 overall picks in 2018. He’s already been traded before, too, from the Padres to the Marlins in 2023. All those clubhouse lessons continue to follow him days later, especially Ryan growing up from his career, especially Ryan growing up from Red. “I just wanted to bomb the outfield.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“I remember being in the locker room with Joey Votto in the corner. I remember Ken Griffey Jr.,” Weathers said. “Cincinnati is something I miss the most, I just remember the guys taking me to the stadium every day. I know when his arm hurt, he was still throwing me BP.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
A healthy climate is incredibly important to the Yankees. That’s why New York assembled a package of prospects that included outfielder Brendan Jones, outfielder Dillon Lewis, infielder Dylan Jasso and infielder Juan Matheus. Jones (No. 15), Lewis (No. 16) and Jasso (No. 23) are all ranked among the Yankees’ top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Weathers has worked on “stretching” the muscle and back through training, which were issues for him in 2025, and is happy with the progress he has made. His career high in innings came as a rookie back in 2021 (94 2\/3), so that’s worth monitoring as the season progresses, but his first job is to help get this Yankees rotation going in the early days. Soon, he and coach Matt Blake will begin diving into new ideas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“We’ll get into it a lot in the coming days, but it’s probably best to adjust the usage, especially against left-handed hitters,” Weathers said. “I don’t feel like I’m using my two motorcycles very much, where they can open up a little bit of space for my four seamers and my sweeper.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The talent is obvious, though. Weathers owns a 3.74 ERA over 24 starts over the past two seasons and comes under club control through the 2028 season. His father set the bar high with that “big punchout,” but now Weathers has his own shot at making Yankee Stadium roar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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