Loretto's Ryan Weathers named Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year

Michael Murphy
The Tennessean
Loretto pitcher Ryan Weathers looks on during a 2018 TSSAA State Championships Class A baseball game against Columbia Academy Friday, May 25, 2018 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

LORETTO — Ryan Weathers became just the second player from Tennessee to be named Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.

But one of the top pitching prospects for Monday's major league draft didn't know that's why he needed to drive to Loretto High School on Thursday.

“I was here for supposedly a photo shoot with ESPN, then they told me my truck was being towed,” the Vanderbilt signee said. “I was like, ‘Well golly, why is my truck being towed?’ I go out there and saw my dad walking around the truck with the award.

“I’m still on cloud nine right now. It probably won’t set in for a while."

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Weathers, who helped lead defending Class A champion Loretto to a runner-up finish in 2018, joined former Tullahoma star Justus Sheffield (2014) as Tennessee high school players to win the award.

The list of recipients also includes former and current major league stars Gary Sheffield (1986), Alex Rodriguez (1993), Zack Greinke (2002), Justin Upton (2005) and Clayton Kershaw (2006).

“Actually last night I was kind of looking through all the names and thought it’d be awesome to be a part of that,” said Weathers, the son of former major league pitcher David Weathers. “To have my name on that list, that’s a huge deal.”

Loretto pitcher Ryan Weathers throws to a batter during a 2018 TSSAA State Championships Class A baseball game against Columbia Academy Friday, May 25, 2018 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

“I just had chill bumps,” his father added. “He’s talked about this award, how prestigious it is and who has won it. Almost of all them turn out to be major league players. They don’t just choose anyone. And I think when you look at that you realize the weight behind this award.”

Weathers will have a big decision to make soon. Will he honor his signed letter of intent to play for Vanderbilt or will he turn pro after the draft? 

"As of right now I don't have any expectations or a dollar amount," Weathers said. “The only thing I know for sure right now is Vanderbilt. Whatever happens Monday happens, and we’ll discuss it then.”

Weathers certainly has all the physical tools. According to his father, however, it's his understanding of the game that sets him apart.

“Once you get to his age, there are very few physical separators,” David Weathers said. “There’s no difference between a guy throwing 97 and a guy throwing 95. The separator has to come from above the shoulders, and we talk zero about the physical part of the game. Everything we discuss and really hammer away at is all mental.”

Loretto's Ryan Weathers pitches against Lawrence County on April 16, 2018 at Vanderbilt.

This past season for Loretto, Weathers posted an 11-0 record with a 0.09 ERA, 148 strikeouts and 10 walks in 76 innings. He scattered 24 hits and surrendered just one earned run all season.

“When people watch him pitch, how he carries himself on the mound and how he carries himself during a game, they understand he knows his way around the field,” David Weathers said. “That absolutely separated him from a lot of players." 

The two-time Class A Mr. Baseball winner also excelled at the plate, batting .434 (.747 slugging) from the leadoff spot with nine doubles, 26 RBIs, 31 runs and 13 stolen bases.

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-269-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports