Marlins' Max Meyer: Reaches 97.7 mph in spring debut
Rotowire
Meyer topped out at 97.7 mph while completing a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Mets in his Grapefruit League debut, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Meyer issued a two-out walk in the frame but needed only 13 pitches to get out of things unscathed. The right-hander's four-seamer averaged 96.4 mph in the outing, which is up more than two mph from what he averaged with the pitch last season. Meyer attributed the velocity increase to "a big offseason in the weight room," Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports. He had an up-and-down 2024 season which featured a 5.68 ERA and ended prematurely due to a shoulder issue, and Meyer is essentially still a prospect as he competes for a spot in the Marlins' rotation for 2025.
Meyer worked with new Marlins pitching coach Daniel Moskos this offseason on grips for a sinker and a sweeper, as well as on refining his changeup, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
"My slider is going to be more down in depth and my sweeper's going to come across the plate," Meyer said Friday before displaying his new arsenal in a live batting practice session. "I feel like with the movement, there's definitely a big separation between those two... My change is going to be a really good pitch, too, one of my best pitches. I feel like all my pitches are one of my best pitches right now. I just have crazy confidence in them that I haven't had a lot in the past going through the injury." Meyer has relied mainly on two pitches, his mid-90s fastball and nasty slider, dating back to his college days, and if even one of his other offerings can become a quality pitch, it would significantly improve his chances of not just sticking in the rotation but reaching his sky-high ceiling as a starter.
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Marlins' Max Meyer: Throws live batting practice
Rotowire
Meyer (shoulder) threw live batting practice Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Meyer's 2024 season ended in early September due to right shoulder bursitis, but it appears he is entering camp this spring without any restrictions. The young right-hander, who was the third overall pick in the 2020 Draft, could have a leg up for one of the spots in the Marlins' rotation given the significant upside he offers. Meyer posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 46:19 K:BB through 57 big-league innings in 2024, but he has a career 151:45 K:BB over 126 Triple-A innings.
The Marlins placed Meyer on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right shoulder bursitis.
Meyer was originally slated to make his next start Sunday against Philadelphia. However, his move to the IL will keep him sidelined for multiple turns through the rotation, meaning the 25-year-old righty likely only has one or two starts left in the season, even in a best-case scenario. The Marlins have yet to name a replacement for Meyer in their starting rotation.
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Marlins' Max Meyer: Headed to IL
Rotowire
The Marlins are expected to place Meyer on the injured list Saturday with an undisclosed issue, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.
Meyer will no longer start Sunday against the Phillies while he contends with an unspecified issue. Even if his stay on the injured list is for the minimum 15 days, Meyer will likely be in line for just one or two more starts this season.
