Weaver adding pitches in hopes of starting role

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Shortly after his first start wearing a Reds uniform on Sunday vs. the Giants, Luke Weaver was still trying to catch his breath from working so quickly. This despite pitching only the first inning during Cincinnati's 7-6 loss.

While throwing 13 pitches, Weaver retired the side in order with one strikeout and enjoyed feeling the adrenaline.

“It was quick enough where I had to focus to get a deep breath," Weaver said. "It was good. I like to work fast. I like to keep the thought process minimal. When things are clicking, you just fire and trust it. That works well for me. This pitch clock is an advantage in my sense of pitching. I’m ready to go, they’re stepping in and I’m ready to fire. It kind of bodes well together.”

On Jan. 13, Cincinnati signed Weaver to a one-year, $2 million contract and gave him the opportunity to compete for one of the two open spots in the rotation. Connor Overton, Luis Cessa, Brandon Williamson and Levi Stoudt are also in the mix.

Weaver already has seven Major League seasons on his resume despite being only 29. He debuted as a 22-year-old highly touted prospect for the Cardinals in 2016. Although he had several sterling moments -- including back-to-back 10-strikeout games and seven straight starts with two or fewer runs allowed -- as a rookie in 2017, the right-hander's career didn't take off as hoped.

Following his first three seasons in the big leagues, he and two other players were traded from St. Louis to Arizona for All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in December 2018. In 2022, he was working almost exclusively as a reliever, including after his Aug. 1 trade to the Royals.

In 26 games (one start) combined, Weaver was 1-1 with a 6.56 ERA last season. He also missed over two months on the injured list with elbow inflammation. But his 2.69 FIP indicated that he was often unlucky in games with situations he did not have control of.

"He got to the big leagues so young that he’s got a lot of experience and is still young," Reds manager David Bell said. "He’s been on good teams. He’s been around really good pitchers. He’s had success. He’s experienced a lot at an early age. He has the stuff to do it. He has plenty of arm and the pitches to get it done. He did it as a reliever but we know he can do it as a starter."

Weaver has been primarily a two-pitch pitcher since 2021 while focusing on his four-seam fastball and his best pitch, the changeup. That is about to change.

This spring during side bullpen sessions and live batting practices, Weaver has been focused on bringing back his curveball more often. He is also tinkering with his cutter and hasn't ruled out eventually reintroducing it into games as well.

"Curveball is something that I’m trying to implement more, especially early in counts, and just bring the percentage of it higher," Weaver said. "It looks like I threw some good ones. It’s really, really close. I feel like the break is there. It’s just consistent about where I’m throwing it in the zone, finding the feel from that and getting good feedback from the guys behind the plate.”

The changeup remained the most effective pitch on Sunday. Giants right-handed batter Mitch Haniger whiffed on it before he was called out on strikes from a fastball.

"No fear to going down and in there," Weaver said. "I really like to work in with fastballs and get the changeups down there. In the past, I’ve worked away with those to kind of separate the two. I’ve kind of been stuck on that side of the plate. It’s something I will think and have conversations about widening the plate with the changeup."

Weaver coveted the chance the Reds were giving him to start again in the big leagues.

"Last year was a little chaotic the way it all went down. I just kind of had to adjust and do my thing to learn where I’m at, where my feet are, being present in it. I learned a lot," Weaver said. "My mind is still in the starting mode. I know everything there is to do about it. I think being able to make the adjustments I’ve made mechanically, I think it’s pretty noticeable the last couple of years.”