Jered Weaver is a former American professional baseball pitcher who played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for his entire career. He was born on October 4, 1982, in Northridge, California, and attended Long Beach State University, where he played college baseball for the Long Beach State 49ers.
Weaver was drafted by the Angels in the first round of the 2004 MLB draft and made his major league debut in 2006. He quickly established himself as one of the top pitchers in the league, earning three All-Star selections and finishing in the top five in Cy Young Award voting three times.
Throughout his career, Weaver was known for his pinpoint control and ability to change speeds effectively. He relied heavily on his fastball, which he could locate on both sides of the plate, and his devastating changeup, which he used to keep hitters off balance.
Weaver's best season came in 2012, when he went 20-5 with a 2.81 ERA and finished third in Cy Young voting. He also led the league in WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) and home runs allowed per nine innings.
Despite his success, Weaver's career was not without its challenges. He struggled with injuries in his later years, and his velocity declined significantly, forcing him to rely more on his off-speed pitches. He also struggled with giving up home runs, which became a major issue in his final seasons.
Weaver announced his retirement from baseball in August 2017, ending a 12-year career in which he compiled a record of 150-98 with a 3.63 ERA and 1,621 strikeouts. He was known for his competitiveness and his ability to pitch effectively despite not having overpowering stuff.
Overall, Jered Weaver was one of the most successful pitchers of his era, and his contributions to the Angels' success during his career will not be forgotten.
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