| Julian Merryweather | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Merryweather with the Blue Jays in 2021 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-10-14)October 14, 1991 (age 34) Berkeley, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 20, 2020, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 6–7 |
| Earned run average | 4.72 |
| Strikeouts | 177 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Julian Christopher Merryweather (born October 14, 1991) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theToronto Blue Jays andChicago Cubs.
Julian Christopher Merryweather was born on October 14, 1991, inBerkeley, California. Merryweather attendedJunípero Serra High School inSan Mateo, California, where he excelled in baseball.
Merryweather playedcollege baseball atSkyline College andOklahoma Baptist University.[1] In two seasons with theBison, Merryweather pitched to a 22–5win–loss record, 1.73earned run average (ERA), and 208strikeouts.[2]
TheCleveland Indians selected Merryweather in the fifth round of the2014 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He made his professional debut with theMahoning Valley Scrappers going 1–2 with a 3.66 ERA in 13 games. He pitched 2015 with theLake County Captains, posting a 4.08 ERA in 702⁄3 innings, and 2016 with theLynchburg Hillcats andAkron RubberDucks,[4] going a combined 13–6 with 2.60 ERA in 24 games started between both teams. Merryweather started 2017 with Akron and was promoted to theColumbus Clippers during the season.[5][6] In 25 total games between Akron and Columbus, Merryweather pitched to a 7–9 record and 5.32 ERA.[7] The Indians added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[8]
Merryweather injured his pitching elbow during the Indians' 2018 spring training camp. The Indians subsequently announced he would needTommy John surgery and would miss the entire 2018 season.[9]
On October 5, 2018, Merryweather was sent to theToronto Blue Jays as theplayer to be named later from the trade that sentJosh Donaldson to Cleveland in August of that year.[10]
In 2019, Merryweather made two appearances, starting a game apiece for the rookie–levelGulf Coast Blue Jays and High–ADunedin Blue Jays. He played for theScottsdale Scorpions of theArizona Fall League during the offseason.[11] Merryweather did not open the 2020 season with an affiliate after the minor league season was cancelled because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[12]
Merryweather made his major league debut on August 20, 2020, against thePhiladelphia Phillies.[13] On August 26, he made his first MLB start.[14] With the2020 Toronto Blue Jays, Merryweather appeared in 13 games, compiling a 0-0 record with 4.15 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched.[15]
On May 5, 2021, Merryweather was placed on the 60-day injured list with an oblique strain.[16] On September 8, Merryweather was activated off of the injured list.[17] He made 13 appearances for Toronto, posting a 4.85 ERA with 12 strikeouts and 2 saves.
On July 2, 2022, Merryweather was placed on the 60-day injured list with an oblique injury.[18] He was activated on September 5.[19] He made 26 total appearances for Toronto on the year, posting a 6.75 ERA with 23 strikeouts in26+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Merryweather wasdesignated for assignment by the Blue Jays on January 10, 2023, after the signing ofBrandon Belt became official.[20]
On January 17, 2023, Merryweather was claimed off waivers by theChicago Cubs.[21] In 69 games out of thebullpen, he registered a 3.38 ERA with 98 strikeouts across 72 innings of work.
In 2024, Merryweather began the year as part of Chicago's relief corps, posting a 1.93 ERA across 4 contests. However, he suffered a right shoulder strain and was placed on the injured list on April 7, 2024.[22] After undergoing additional testing, he was diagnosed with a ribstress fracture in his back,[23] and was transferred to the 60–day injured list on April 17.[24] Merryweather was activated from the injured list on July 22.[25] In 15 total games for Chicago, he struggled to a 6.60 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 15 innings pitched. On September 19, it was announced that Merryweather would undergo apatellar tendondebridement surgery on his knee, ending his season.[26]
Merryweather made 21 appearances for Chicago in 2025, posting an 0-1 record and 5.79 ERA with 15 strikeouts across18+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 24, 2025, Merryweather was designated for assignment by the Cubs.[27] He was released by Chicago on May 30.[28]
On June 7, 2025, Merryweather signed a minor league contract with theNew York Mets.[29] In 12 appearances for the Triple-ASyracuse Mets, he logged a 1-0 record and 4.50 ERA with 15 strikeouts and two saves over 12 innings of work. Merryweather was released by the Mets organization on August 2.[30]
On August 8, 2025, Merryweather signed a minor league contract with theMilwaukee Brewers organization.[31] He elected free agency on November 6.[32]