Luke Allen Weaver is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, and Seattle Mariners. Weaver was a first-round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2014 and made his MLB debut in 2016. After a few seasons as a starting pitcher, he transitioned to a relief role and found significant success as the Yankees’ closer in 2024.
Luke Weaver Overview
| Full Name | Luke Allen Weaver |
| Date of Birth | August 21, 1993 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 31 years old |
| Birthplace | DeLand, Florida, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Profession | Professional Baseball Pitcher |
| Team | New York Yankees |
| Wife | Olivia Weaver |
| Children | 2 |
| Net Worth (as of 2025) | Estimated $15.2 million (based on career earnings) |
Early Life and Education of Luke Weaver
Luke Allen Weaver was born on August 21, 1993, in DeLand, Florida, to parents Mark and Merry Weaver. His mother is an alumna of Florida State University. Growing up, Weaver was a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays. He attended DeLand High School, where he excelled in baseball. In his senior year, he earned second-team Rawlings All-America and first-team All-State honors. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 19th round of the 2011 MLB draft but chose not to sign, opting instead to attend college.
Weaver enrolled at Florida State University, where he played college baseball for the Seminoles from 2012 to 2014. During his time at FSU, he compiled a 16-6 record with a 3.04 ERA and 244 strikeouts in 245.2 innings pitched. In 2013, he was named to the All-ACC Second Team and was the Most Outstanding Player of the Tallahassee Regional. The following year, he was a First Team All-ACC selection and a Third Team Collegiate Baseball All-American. He also won the prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2014.
Luke Weaver’s Career
Draft and Minor Leagues
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Luke Weaver in the first round, with the 27th overall pick, of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Cardinals for a reported $1.843 million and began his professional career with the GCL Cardinals, the team’s rookie-level affiliate. He was later promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals. In 2016, Weaver was named the Cardinals’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year by both the organization and MLB Pipeline after a dominant season with the Springfield Cardinals.
Major League Career
St. Louis Cardinals (2016–2018)
Weaver made his MLB debut on August 13, 2016, against the Chicago Cubs. He spent parts of three seasons with the Cardinals, compiling a 15-17 record with a 4.79 ERA in 52 games (43 starts).
Arizona Diamondbacks (2019–2022)
On December 5, 2018, the Cardinals traded Weaver, along with Carson Kelly and Andy Young, to the Arizona Diamondbacks for first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. His time with the Diamondbacks was hampered by injuries. In four seasons, he went 9-19 with a 4.72 ERA in 49 games (38 starts).
A Journeyman’s Path (2022-2023)
In August 2022, Weaver was traded to the Kansas City Royals. He became a free agent after the season and signed with the Cincinnati Reds for 2023. Later that season, he was released by the Reds and signed with the Seattle Mariners. After a brief stint with the Mariners, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees in September 2023.
New York Yankees (2023–present)
Weaver’s career took a significant turn with the Yankees. He re-signed with the team for the 2024 season on a one-year contract with a club option for 2025. Transitioning to a full-time relief role, Weaver had a breakout season in 2024, becoming the team’s closer in September. He recorded his first career save on September 6, 2024. His success continued into the postseason, where he saved all three of the Yankees’ wins in the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals. In November 2024, the Yankees exercised their $2.5 million club option on Weaver for the 2025 season.
Luke Weaver Personal Life & Family
Luke Weaver is married to Olivia Weaver (née Fiechter). The couple began dating in May 2013 while they were both students at Florida State University and married on December 10, 2016. Olivia is a former professional squash player and a four-time All-American at Princeton University, where she now serves as an assistant squash coach. They have two children, a daughter named Lyla Mae, born in October 2019, and a second child.
Weaver is a devout Christian and is very open about his faith. He has spoken about how his faith has helped him through the challenges of his career. He is known for his “Bible Glove,” a custom-made baseball glove that features several Bible verses.
Awards and Achievements of Luke Weaver
- 2014 Rawlings Gold Glove Award (College)
- 2014 First Team All-ACC
- 2013 All-ACC Second Team
- 2013 Tallahassee Regional Most Outstanding Player
- 2016 St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year
Luke Weaver Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Luke Weaver’s career earnings in Major League Baseball are reported to be over $15 million. For the 2025 season, he will earn a base salary of $2.5 million from the New York Yankees. His 2024 contract with the Yankees was for $2 million, with the potential for performance bonuses.
Legacy and Influence
Luke Weaver’s career is a testament to perseverance. After struggling as a starting pitcher and bouncing between several teams, he reinvented himself as a dominant relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. Off the field, Weaver is known for his strong Christian faith, which he publicly shares through interviews and his unique “Bible Glove.” He has cited former teammate Adam Wainwright as a significant spiritual mentor.
Interesting Facts about Luke Weaver
- His nickname is “Dream.”
- He was initially drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays out of high school but opted for college.
- His entrance song at Yankee Stadium is “Dream Weaver” by Gary Wright.
- He and his wife, Olivia, have a golden retriever named Wrigley.
Controversies
There are no widely reported controversies involving Luke Weaver.
Social Media Presence
Luke Weaver is active on Instagram under the handle @dreamweava, where he has over 100,000 followers.
Final Words about Luke Weaver
As of 2025, Luke Weaver is poised to be a key piece of the New York Yankees’ bullpen. His journey from a struggling starter to a lights-out closer has been one of the feel-good stories in recent baseball memory. With his career revitalized and a secure spot on a contending team, Weaver’s future in Major League Baseball looks bright.
