3) Luke Weaver – RHP
Date of Birth: August 21, 1993
Height/Weight: 6′ 2″/170 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round (27th overall) in 2014
“Luke Weaver was one of the best pitchers in the league, in my honest opinion,” said former pro scout and MLBPipeline prospect writer Bernie Pleskoff. High praise indeed after just a single season at High-A, but Weaver was brilliant in that single season. Despite a thin frame Weaver can hit the upper 90s and features a very good changeup and a developing slider that is already serviceable. Weaver’s biggest problem is his confidence in the slider, but once he has it he’ll be mowing down batters.
Proclaimed a “stud” already, it was a surprise that Weaver stayed at High-A all year, but it seems that the Cardinals plan is to have Weaver stay a little longer than necessary at each level just for extra seasoning and to build more stamina, as the righty’s endurance is a bit of a concern after he was forced to sit out until late May due to fatigue from his workload at Florida State. Nonetheless Weaver has the makings of a future ace, and it would be a disappointment to not see Weaver in the AA rotation to start 2016.
Pretty good list. I disagree that Luke Weaver has ace potential. He has a wiry body that calls into question him being a workhorse. Also, serviceable is the highest praise he has gotten on his breaking pitch which bodes better for a mid rotation starter over an ace.