Weaver is from St. Johnsville, New York and played college baseball for the Oneonta Red Dragons.

[5] Weaver spent his first professional season with the Bristol Tigers and led the Appalachian League with a 1.43 ERA.

[9] His elbow tendinitis caused pain which carried over into the offseason and was "so intense" that he could not straighten his arm, had difficulty sleeping and planned to quit baseball and go into business with his father.

"[13] In early July, Tigers pitching coach Roger Craig told Weaver that the organization planned to use him as a starting pitcher in the future, a role which he told the Detroit Free Press he preferred to pitching out of the bullpen.

[15] Weaver returned in time to finish the Major League season but his performance suffered.