Physical Description
CJ Weins is a 6-foot-3, 223-pound right-handed pitcher. Born on May 15, 2001, he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the sixth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Western Kentucky University and later acquired by the Detroit Tigers in a trade for Trey Wingenter in July 2024. Weins has a strong, durable frame suitable for a relief pitcher, with a solid lower half that aids in generating power in his delivery. He has a slight head wack in his delivery.Â
Fastball – 55
Weins’ fastball sits in the mid-90s, occasionally touching higher velocities. The pitch has late life, making it effective up in the zone and inducing swings and misses. ​
Slider – 55
His slider is a swing-and-miss offering with sharp, late break, effective against both right-handed and left-handed hitters. The pitch tunnels well off his fastball, adding to its deception. ​
Changeup – 40
Weins is developing a changeup to complement his fastball-slider combination. While still inconsistent, it shows potential to become an average offering with continued refinement.
Overall Outlook:
Weins has the makeup of a high-leverage reliever, with a fastball-slider combo that plays well in short stints. His mid-90s fastball features late life, and his swing-and-miss slider gives him a legitimate putaway pitch. His time at Western Kentucky and in the Red Sox system helped him refine his approach, and the Tigers saw enough upside to acquire him in the Trey Wingenter trade in 2024.
Since joining the Tigers’ system, Weins has continued to miss bats at a high rate, though command remains a work in progress. If he can cut down on walks and improve consistency, he has the potential to be a multi-inning bullpen weapon or even a setup option at the big-league level. The 2025 season will be key as he faces upper-level hitters in Double-A Erie, where his ability to throw strikes and execute his secondary offerings will determine his trajectory.
Chris Brown