I'm Not Buying Ryan Weathers

Remember what I said about Ryan Weathers? Yeah… I meant it. Spring Training or not, I never bought the hype around this kid and I’m still not buying it now. At some point the New York Yankees have to stop running these little “development experiments” like they’re a science fair project gone wrong. We already sat through the Anthony Volpe Experience and the Austin Wells Adventure. Both of those have been… let’s call it “educational.” We really don’t need another lesson.

Today didn’t exactly inspire confidence either. Weathers got tagged early in a 7–6 loss to the Atlanta Braves, and that first inning was basically a disaster movie. Four runs crossed the plate before anyone could finish their coffee. When it was over, the left-hander had allowed four earned runs on seven hits across 3.2 innings.

Not exactly the kind of outing that makes fans jump up and scream, “Yes! This is the guy!”

But if you listen closely to the spin machine coming out of the New York Yankees front office, they’ll tell you the real story is that Weathers hit 100 mph on the radar gun. And sure, that’s nice. Radar guns are fun. Fireworks are also fun. Neither of those things necessarily mean the pitcher actually got anyone out.

Velocity is great, but you know what’s even better? Not giving up four runs before the stadium hot dogs are warm.

The reality is that Weathers already had an uphill climb with the fan base. The Yankees paid a steep prospect price to bring him in, he’s had a laundry list of injury concerns over the years, and now his spring performances have been… let’s politely call them “uneven.” That’s not exactly the recipe for instant Bronx love.

Right now, he’s penciled into the rotation mostly because the Yankees are waiting for the cavalry to return. Until Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón get healthy and back from the injured list, Weathers is basically serving as a placeholder. A bridge. A temporary patch on the tire while the real engine is in the shop.

And honestly? That’s exactly what he looks like.

Maybe he figures it out. Maybe the velocity turns into results. Baseball has surprised us before.

But if we’re still hearing in June about how “encouraging” it is that Ryan Weathers can touch 100 while the scoreboard lights up like Times Square, I’m done. At that point I might just start rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates out of sheer emotional self-defense.

Because even the most loyal Yankees fan has a breaking point. And the Bronx “pitching lab” might be getting dangerously close to mine.

I know, ya’ll hate my negativity. I get it, but I’m not wrong.