Luke Weaver dominating for Yankees without being top-shelf self yet

Arguably the most valuable Yankees pitcher through three weeks of play believes he will get much nastier.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

Luke Weaver has been excellent, having allowed zero runs on two hits with five walks in nine innings this season — which means stretching back to last year, he had not allowed an earned run in 15 consecutive regular-season outings.Statistically, he has picked up where he left off after he emerged as a star closer last year and has been even more valuable than Max Fried through Baseball Reference’s WAR in 2025.Metrically, his stuff has slowed.A four-seam fastball that put hitters away more efficiently last year averaged 95.7 mph.This season, through seven games, the pitch sat at 93.2 mph.

It has changed the way Weaver has pitched.“I got to be mindful that this ain’t coming out the same,” Weaver said before the Yankees swept a series with the Royals in The Bronx.“So I can’t pitch the same way.

I have to come with the same conviction and confidence that I got to get to the spot.I’ve got to get to the corners.

I’ve got to mix.I’ve got to deceive.”It has not changed the results.“I’m proud of what I’ve been doing thus far because I feel like I haven’t clicked into my top-shelf self,” said Weaver, who did not pitch in the Yankees’ win on Wednesday.

“But I feel really convicted and confident.”He has reason to be.Weaver has slightly lesser stuff but still a changeup that dives away from bats and a cutter that hitters have done nothing with.

Shifted out of the ninth inning because Devin Williams arrived with the “closer” title, Weaver instead has been an invaluable late- or middle-inning arm called on frequently to put out fires.Tuesday, the fireman entered a two-on, two-out threat in the seventh inning while the Yankees led by two.It took just two pitches — a 93.7 mph fastball and 8...