Weather Changes in Baseball
So, it seems like things are shifting—weather included.
In a recent winter meeting, which took place in December, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough highlighted Ryan Weathers as a potential “breakout” player for the 2026 season. This was just a month before the left-handed pitcher was traded to the Yankees on Tuesday night.
“For me, Ryan Weathers is the breakout player to watch,” McCullough shared with reporters, as mentioned by FishOnFirst. “He has the talent, but, unfortunately, last season—as has happened in previous years—was marred by injuries.”
McCullough went on to express his enthusiasm: “We have a top-tier left-handed player here. He’s incredibly driven and competitive. We’re genuinely excited about Ryan’s future. I really expect him to shine this year.”
The Yankees are undoubtedly hoping that McCullough’s optimism proves correct as they added the 26-year-old pitcher, trading away prospect Dillon Lewis along with Brendan Jones, Dylan Jasso, and Juan Matthäus.
Weathers, who is the child of former Yankees and Mets pitcher David Weathers, has always held promise, despite facing several injury challenges over his career. In 2024, a strain in his left index finger sent him to the 60-day disabled list, and last season, he played only eight games, hampered by tightness in his left forearm and issues with his latissimus dorsi.
At just 20, Weathers made his MLB debut with the Padres during the 2020 postseason—talk about a remarkable start!
When he’s in good health, Weathers wields an impressive fastball, which averaged 96.9 mph last season, according to Baseball Savant.
Over the past two years with Miami, he started 24 games and had a solid record, becoming the No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 draft with a 3.74 ERA and 117 strikeouts across 125 innings.
As the Marlins traded Edward Cabrera to the Cubs, it was anticipated that a healthy Weathers would slot behind Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner—though Alcantara’s name has also cropped up in trade discussions.
Now, Weathers will head to a Yankees team that will be missing Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clark Schmidt in 2026.
He aims to solidify his position in a rotation that includes All-Stars Max Fried, Cam Schlitler, Will Warren, and 2024 Rookie of the Year Lewis Gil.
