Casey

Weathers

Weathers was acquired via trade this offseason from the Rockies along with third baseman Ian Stewart. He registered a rough 5.32 ERA and 48/48 K/BB ratio across 45 2/3 innings last season at Double-A and is unlikely to see any time in the major leagues this year.

Weathers posted a troubling 5.32 ERA and 48/48 K/BB ratio in 45 2/3 innings this past year for the Rockies’ Double-A affiliate. He’s a former first-round pick, but he’s also 26 years old and unlikely to suddenly gain dominance in the Cubs’ minor league system. He was essentially a throw-in to the four-player swap.

The 29-year-old right-hander appeared in eight games at High-A Charlotte, posting a 13.06 ERA, 2.52 WHIP and 8/12 K/BB ratio. He has lengthy history of injuries, but could find another organization willing to give him a shot on a minor league deal.

Weathers, now 28, was drafted No. 8 overall by the Rockies in 2007. It was a questionable pick at the time and injuries and underperformance have been constant themes for him. He hasn’t pitched in pro ball since 2012 in the Cubs’ organization.

Pretty disappointing. Weathers was clearly the top relief pitcher available, and it makes some sense for a Rockies team with a bunch of quality prospects elsewhere. Still, taking a pure reliever with the eighth overall pick is excessive. Weathers can throw 95-98 mph with a high-80s slider, so he is definite closer material. On a contender, he’d be a threat to debut this year. The Rockies, though, shouldn’t have any reason to rush him. Maybe he’ll take over in the ninth inning before the end of 2008.

The Rockies are being quite aggressive with Weathers, who pitched 13 2/3 innings in low-A ball and one inning in high-A ball after being drafted last year. He’s a definite candidate to see time in the Colorado bullpen before the end of the year.

On one hand, the Rockies’ poor performance this year has decreased Weathers’ chances of seeing the majors before September. On the other, with the stock of Manny Corpas well down, Weathers could enter 2009 as a legitimate sleeper for saves in the Colorado pen. We’d say the good news outweighs the bad for Weathers owners. He’s living up to the advanced billing so far.

Weathers came out of his first AFL appearance last week holding his elbow. He’s already been shut down for the rest of the fall. If it’s just a muscle strain, then he should be fine for spring training.

Weathers, who impressed for Team USA in the Olympics and excelled in August for Double-A Tulsa, was making his first AFL appearance. A severe injury would be a blow to Colorado’s plans. He was hardly a lock to make the team out of spring training, but he’d be a candidate to step into a setup role at some point during the season.

Weathers was hurt last week in his first AFL appearance. He’ll probably miss all of 2009, but with any luck, he’ll be as good as new for the start of 2010. Manny Corpas, who appears likely to close for the Rockies, will be a safer pick next year with Weathers completely out of the mix, though he’ll still have Taylor Buchholz to contend with.