Jordan Weems Bio
Jordan Blake Weems is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, and Houston Astros. Weems was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 2011 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2020. Throughout his career, he has shown skills as a pitcher while overcoming the challenges of transitioning from a catcher early in his professional journey.
A journeyman reliever, Weems has spent time across multiple organizations in both the major and minor leagues. His career reflects resilience, as he reinvented himself as a pitcher after spending his early professional years behind the plate.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Blake Weems was born on November 7, 1992, in Columbus, Georgia, USA. He grew up in Columbus, where he attended Columbus High School and developed his baseball skills. As a young athlete, Weems drew inspiration from his family’s connection to the game, which helped shape his early path in the sport.
Weems’ father, Rick, was a Minor League catcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization from 1980 to 1982. Growing up around the sport gave Weems a strong foundation and an understanding of professional baseball. His roots in Columbus and his family’s baseball background played a meaningful role in his development as a player.
Path to Baseball
Weems committed to play college baseball at Georgia State before being selected by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. He was drafted as a catcher and made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox. Over the next few seasons, he worked his way through Boston’s minor league system, playing for the Greenville Drive, Salem Red Sox, Portland Sea Dogs, and Pawtucket Red Sox.
During his early minor league years, Weems faced the challenges of learning the professional game as a catcher. In 2012, he played for the Single-A Greenville Drive, batting .201 with 29 RBI. He returned to Greenville in 2013 and later split time between Greenville and Salem in 2014, posting a cumulative .220 average. By 2015, he was splitting time between Salem and Portland, continuing to develop his skills as a position player.
Jordan Weems Career
Position Change and Minor League Development (2011–2019)
After spending his first five years in the minor leagues as a catcher, Weems converted into a relief pitcher in 2016. The change marked a turning point in his professional career, as he began to find new success on the mound. In 19 games between the GCL Red Sox and the Low-A Lowell Spinners that year, Weems recorded a 3–0 record and 3.58 ERA.
Weems continued to progress as a pitcher over the following seasons. In 2017, he split time between Salem, Greenville, and the GCL Red Sox, accumulating a 6–2 record and 4.10 ERA in 24 appearances. By 2018, he was pitching for Salem, Portland, and the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, recording a 4–3 record and 3.36 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 59 innings. In 2019, Weems pitched to a 4.37 ERA in 41 appearances between Portland and Pawtucket. On November 4, 2019, he elected free agency after nine years in the Red Sox minor league system.
Oakland Athletics (2019–2021)
On December 3, 2019, Weems signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization. He made the Opening Day roster for Oakland and made his major league debut on July 28, 2020, against the Colorado Rockies, giving up two runs over four innings of work. He finished his rookie season with an ERA of 3.21 in nine games, establishing himself as a reliable bullpen option.
In 2021, Weems split time between the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators and Oakland, recording a 6.23 ERA in five big league appearances before being designated for assignment on July 3, 2021. His time with Oakland provided him with valuable major league experience that set the stage for future opportunities.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2021)
On July 5, 2021, Weems was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks. In two games with Arizona, he gave up seven earned runs and struck out three in 1+1⁄3 innings. On August 12, Weems was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Reno Aces. His brief stint with the Diamondbacks was a short chapter in his journeyman career.
Washington Nationals (2022–2024)
On February 27, 2022, Weems signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals that included an invitation to spring training. On May 31, Washington selected his contract to the active roster. Weems made a career-high 32 appearances for Washington, working to an 0–1 record and 5.22 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 39+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Weems was optioned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings to begin the 2023 season, but he returned to the majors and made 51 appearances out of the bullpen for Washington. That year, he compiled a 5–1 record and 3.62 ERA with 60 strikeouts across 54+2⁄3 innings pitched, marking one of the most productive stretches of his career.
In 2024, Weems made 41 appearances for Washington, struggling to a 6.70 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 41+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 13, 2024, he was designated for assignment by the Nationals. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Rochester on August 16, before electing free agency on October 1, 2024.
Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros (2024–2025)
On December 17, 2024, Weems signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. In 14 appearances for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, he logged a 1-1 record and 5.09 ERA with 18 strikeouts and one save across 17+2⁄3 innings pitched. Weems was released by the Braves organization on May 19, 2025.
On June 2, 2025, Weems signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. In nine appearances for the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, he posted a 2-1 record and 3.97 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 11+1⁄3 innings pitched. On June 24, the Astros selected Weems’ contract, adding him to their active roster. In two appearances for Houston, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 6.00 ERA. Weems was designated for assignment on July 4, elected free agency on July 7, and re-signed with the Astros organization on a minor league contract on July 9. On August 13, the Astros added him back to their active roster, before designating him for assignment again on August 18. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Sugar Land on August 20, electing free agency on September 29, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a reliever, Weems has shown the ability to adapt to different bullpen roles across multiple organizations. His journey from catcher to pitcher has given him a unique perspective on the game, allowing him to approach each outing with a fresh mindset. Weems has demonstrated durability, often logging high numbers of appearances during his time with the Washington Nationals, where he played a consistent role in the bullpen.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments in Weems’ career was his major league debut on July 28, 2020, against the Colorado Rockies while with the Oakland Athletics. His conversion from catcher to relief pitcher in 2016 stands as a major milestone, showcasing his adaptability and determination. His career-high 32 appearances in 2022 and 51 appearances in 2023 with Washington highlighted his role as a reliable bullpen presence during those seasons.
Jordan Weems Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Weems comes from a baseball family, with his father, Rick, having been a Minor League catcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization from 1980 to 1982. This family connection to the sport provided Weems with early exposure and guidance as he pursued his own professional career. Growing up in Columbus, Georgia, he was surrounded by the influence of his father’s experiences in professional baseball.
Personal Life
On February 9, 2024, Weems and his girlfriend, Melody, got engaged. The couple’s engagement marked a significant personal milestone for the pitcher, who has spent much of his career traveling between various organizations. Outside of baseball, Weems continues to build his personal life while pursuing opportunities in professional baseball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Weems continue his journeyman path through multiple organizations. After being released by the Atlanta Braves organization on May 19, 2025, he signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on June 2. His time with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys was productive, posting a 2-1 record and 3.97 ERA before being called up to the major league roster on June 24.
Weems’ major league appearances with Houston were brief, as he struggled to a 6.00 ERA in two outings before being designated for assignment on July 4. After clearing waivers and electing free agency, he re-signed with the Astros organization on a minor league contract on July 9. He returned to the active roster on August 13, but was designated for assignment again on August 18 after allowing five runs in 1+1⁄3 innings across two games against the Baltimore Orioles.
Weems cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Sugar Land on August 20, before electing free agency on September 29, 2025. His 2025 season highlighted the challenges of maintaining a stable major league role while showcasing his ability to bounce back between organizations. As a free agent, Weems remains open to future opportunities in professional baseball.