It is wild to think about how fast things change in baseball. Oddly enough,
You have a guy like Ryan Weathers, who looked like a building block for the San Diego Padres for a few years.
Then boom, he’s gone.
Now he’s on the Los Angeles Dodgers, trying to figure out if he belongs in the rotation or the bullpen.
From what I’ve seen over the last few seasons, Weathers has got that lefty arm angle that scouts love. But there’s a catch.
But there’s been a lot of chatter lately.
People are wondering if the trade was a good move or if he’s just another pitcher falling off the track.
It’s complicated, really.
You can’t just look at the numbers on paper and call it a day.
Ryan Weathers: From San Diego to Los Angeles
So, let’s talk about the move.
The Padres traded him to the Dodgers.
It felt a bit like a salary dump for SD, but for LA, they needed arms.
The Dodgers are always looking for depth. Oddly enough,
Weathers comes with a lot of hype, obviously.
He was a first-round pick in 2020, which usually means you’re supposed to be a star.
But here is the thing about baseball.
Being a top pick doesn’t mean you’re going to be an All-Star. Now think about that for a second.
In real situations, the transition from the minor leagues to the majors is brutal.
Weathers faced that head-on. Here’s the interesting part.
He’s had his ups and downs, mostly with his control and that electric fastball that hasn’t always hit its spots.
What His Mechanics Tell Us
If you watch him pitch, you notice the mechanics immediately.
He relies a lot on his arm slot.
It’s not the classic three-quarters release you see from the greats, but more of a lower arm slot.
That can be really deceptive to hitters.
- Changeup: This is his best pitch, hands down. Here’s the interesting part.
It dives hard down.
It’s the reason he’s still in the league.
- Fastball: It’s got some pop, but it fluctuates.
One day it’s 94, the next it’s 90.
Consistency is the issue here.
- Curveball: It’s okay, but not his money pitch.
He uses it more as a chase pitch than a strikeout pitch.
Most people overlook the consistency in mechanics.
If he stays closed off, he struggles with control.
If he stays open, he loses velocity.
It’s a delicate balance.
The Injury Question
You can’t talk about Weathers without mentioning injuries. And this is where things get interesting.
He’s dealt with some shoulder and arm issues that have limited his innings.
Injuries are the worst part of this game.
They mess up your rhythm and your confidence.
I think a lot of fans are worried that once he gets to LA, the workload is going to be too high.
The Dodgers rotation is stacked.
He’s fighting for a spot, maybe.
It’s high pressure.
And when you’re pitching under pressure, things get tighter.
Your mechanics get tighter. Here’s the interesting part.
And then the walks start happening.
Here’s the interesting part.
Is He a Starter or a Reliever?
This is the million-dollar question right now.
Some scouts think he has the stuff to be a #3 starter in the right situation.
Others think his control is too erratic for that.
He might be better suited for the bullpen as a high-leverage lefty.
Actually, it’s a smart move for him to consider a bullpen role if he can’t lock down a rotation spot.
He throws strikes with his changeup, and in relief, you don’t need to go deep into games.
You just need to get three outs.
Future Outlook and Fantasy Implications
For those of you playing fantasy baseball, you need to be careful with Weathers.
He’s tempting because of the upside.
But the floor is low. But there’s a catch.
If you need a win or a quality start, he might not get it.
He’s a boom-or-bust guy.
If he finds his command, he could be an asset.
But if the control issues persist, he’s going to be a headache for your fantasy team.
You might want to keep an eye on his spring training stats before locking him in.
Anyway, the verdict is still out on him.
He’s young enough to figure it out.
The Dodgers have good coaches.
They’ll work on his delivery.
But until he proves he can be consistent, the doubt will linger.
If you are looking for a more stable pitcher, you might want to look at our latest breakdown of the Dodgers Rotation Depth.
It gives you a better picture of who is actually safe to start.
Final Thoughts: Ryan Weathers has the stuff.
The stuff to be good.
But command is everything.
If he can stop walking guys, he’s going to be okay.
But right now? He’s a work in progress.
He’s not the ace the Dodgers hoped for, but he’s not a bust either. Here’s the interesting part.
He’s just a lefty trying to find his way.
And this is where things get interesting.
Just remember, baseball is a marathon, not a sprint.
Give him time. Oddly enough,
Or don’t.
It’s your fantasy team.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com
