Weems was drafted by the Boston Red Sox as a catcher in the third round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft out of Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia. Weems had committed to play college baseball at Georgia State.[1] Weems made his professional debut with the GCL Red Sox. In 2012, Weems played for the Single-A Greenville Drive, batting .201/.308/.238 with 29 RBI. He returned to Greenville in 2013, where he hit .204/.301/.244 with 13 RBI in 61 games. For the 2014 season, Weems split the year between Greenville and the High-A Salem Red Sox, posting a cumulative .220/.324/.282 slash line with 1 home run and 15 RBI. In 2015, Weems split the season between Salem and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, slashing .244/.309/.355 in 48 games between the two teams.[2]
Weems as a catcher in 2012
After spending his first 5 years in the minor leagues as a catcher, Weems converted into a relief pitcher in 2016.[3][4] In 19 games between the GCL Red Sox and the Low-A Lowell Spinners, Weems recorded a 3–0 record and 3.58 ERA. In 2017, Weems split the season between Salem, Greenville, and the GCL Red Sox, accumulating a 6–2 record and 4.10 ERA in 24 appearances. For the 2018 season, Weems split the year between Salem, Portland, and the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, recording a cumulative 4–3 record and 3.36 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 59 innings of work between the three teams. In 2019, Weems returned to Portland and Pawtucket, pitching to a 4.37 ERA in 41 appearances between the two teams.[5] On November 4, 2019, Weems elected free agency after 9 years in the Red Sox minor league system.[6]
Oakland Athletics
On December 3, 2019, Weems signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization.[7] Weems made the Opening Day roster for Oakland and made his major league debut on July 28, 2020, against the Colorado Rockies, giving up 2 runs over 4 innings of work.[8][9] He finished his rookie season with an ERA of 3.21 in 9 games.
In 2021, Weems split time between the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators and Oakland, recording a 6.23 ERA in 5 big league appearances before being designated for assignment on July 3, 2021.[10]
Arizona Diamondbacks
On July 5, 2021, Weems was claimed off of waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.[11] In two games with Arizona, he gave up seven earned runs and struck out three in 1+1⁄3 innings.[12] On August 12, Weems was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Reno Aces.[13]
Washington Nationals
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.[14] 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.[15] He made 51 appearances out of the bullpen for Washington, compiling a 5–1 record and 3.62 ERA with 60 strikeouts across 54+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Weems made 41 appearances for Washington in 2024, struggling to a 6.70 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 41+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 13, 2024, Weems was designated for assignment by the Nationals.[16] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Rochester on August 16.[17] Weems elected free agency on October 1.[18]
Personal life
Weems father, Rick, was a Minor League catcher in the St Louis Cardinals organization from 1980-1982.[19]
On February 9, 2024, Weems and his girlfriend, Melody, got engaged.[20]
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