Where is he now? 2006 Glacier Pilot Casey Weathers

Casey Weathers
CP - Anchorage Glacier Pilots, 2006
Bats: Right - Throws: Right
Height: 6'1" - Weight: 205lb
College: Sacramento City, Vanderbilt
Drafted: 2006, 24th Rd, Detroit...2007, 1st Rd, Colorado

Casey Weathers might have never thrown off a mound. He could have stuck out his time in college ball in the outfield and gone on to be an accountant or a car salesman or something perfectly respectable like that. That is, if fate had not interveined in the form of a bet against a teammate over who could throw harder. When Weathers hit the mid-90's on the radar gun it was pretty obvious that he was meant to be a pitcher.



And so it came to pass that Weathers would pitch for Sacramento City College, make a name for himself as a transfer to Vanderbilt, and come to play for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots of the Alaska League. In AK for the 2006 season, things only got better: 0.84 ERA, 8 saves, and a microscopic .085 batting average against. Nobody in Alaska could do anyting with Weathers.

His ABL dominance and subsequent awesome senior year back at Vandy boosted his draft stock, going from a 24th round pick of Detroit in 2006 to a first-round selection by Colorado in 2007. The $1.8 million dollar signing bonus sealed the deal and Weathers went to work for the Rockies' low minor league affilliates where he established himself as a professional prospect.

Promoted to AA Tulsa for the 2008 season, Weathers did well: in 44.1 innings of relief he struck out 54 and posted a 3.05 ERA. In addition, Weathers made the trip to Beijing with Team USA that year and helped bring home the bronze medal. Casey looked like he was well on his way until he was shut down at the end of the year and underwent Tommy John surgery.

Having missed all of 2009 rehabbing, Weathers has kind of fallen off the radar. It's hard to find anyone with a good take on him since he has literally been out of sight for the past year. However, Weathers reported to Rockies rehab camp last month and is reportedly ready for minor league spring training. Will he make the comeback? His performance this spring will be one of the big questions for those interested in Colorado's prospects.