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Baseball America on Alex Meyer and Span Trade

John Bonnes

By John Bonnes
in Twins Minor League Talk

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John Bonnes MVP

John Bonnes

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http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/trade-central/2012/2614398.html

 

Click over. It's not behind their firewall...

 

They're fans of Alex Meyer, though they recognize the risk. If you want to get excited, here's the money quote....

 

"Meyer said in a September interview that he throws mostly two-seam fastballs now and still gets that mid-90s velocity, putting him in Kevin Brown territory for a power sinker. His fastball touched 99 in the Futures Game."
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TopGunn#22 First Round Pick

TopGunn#22

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Great summary. I like that we traded from a strength to fill a weakness. I like Revere more than Span and with Hicks and Buxton in the pipeline this was the right deal to make. The Twins still need to spend some serious money on starting pitchers for the 2013 ballclub. Every arm they acquire now can be used as an asset down the line, either at this year's trade deadline or in 2-3 years.

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diehardtwinsfan Minnesota Twins

diehardtwinsfan

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Judging solely by his stats, I'd say this isn't a mechanics fix like Guerra was... it's more of a "finding a consistent release point" kind of thing, which comes with repetition. I don't think Meyer is nearly the project as some seem to think, and judging by the numbers, I'd say he has gotten a bit closer each year.

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kab21 GCL Twins

kab21

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Judging solely by his stats, I'd say this isn't a mechanics fix like Guerra was... it's more of a "finding a consistent release point" kind of thing, which comes with repetition. I don't think Meyer is nearly the project as some seem to think, and judging by the numbers, I'd say he has gotten a bit closer each year.

 

I would be careful making any judgements using stats. He was a college pitcher with an upper 90's fastball playing in A ball. he could have been missing his spots by a mile but still getting swings because he was flat out better than the competition. It wouldn't surprise me if the walks rose quite a bit as he moves up in the minors.

 

FWIW - I like Meyer more everyday and I'm going to try not to get carried away but I also can't wait to see what he does in AA and hopefully AAA this season.

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ThePuck First Round Pick

ThePuck

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Judging solely by his stats, I'd say this isn't a mechanics fix like Guerra was... it's more of a "finding a consistent release point" kind of thing, which comes with repetition. I don't think Meyer is nearly the project as some seem to think, and judging by the numbers, I'd say he has gotten a bit closer each year.

 

I would be careful making any judgements using stats. He was a college pitcher with an upper 90's fastball playing in A ball. he could have been missing his spots by a mile but still getting swings because he was flat out better than the competition. It wouldn't surprise me if the walks rose quite a bit as he moves up in the minors.

 

FWIW - I like Meyer more everyday and I'm going to try not to get carried away but I also can't wait to see what he does in AA and hopefully AAA this season.

Would you be surprised at all if he didn't start in AA this year?

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70charger Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

70charger

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Judging solely by his stats, I'd say this isn't a mechanics fix like Guerra was... it's more of a "finding a consistent release point" kind of thing, which comes with repetition. I don't think Meyer is nearly the project as some seem to think, and judging by the numbers, I'd say he has gotten a bit closer each year.

 

I would be careful making any judgements using stats. He was a college pitcher with an upper 90's fastball playing in A ball. he could have been missing his spots by a mile but still getting swings because he was flat out better than the competition. It wouldn't surprise me if the walks rose quite a bit as he moves up in the minors.

 

FWIW - I like Meyer more everyday and I'm going to try not to get carried away but I also can't wait to see what he does in AA and hopefully AAA this season.

Would you be surprised at all if he didn't start in AA this year?

 

I'm not sure I would. High-A would be a distinct possibility to start. However, I would be shocked if he saw no time at AA at all. (Barring injury, of course.)

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Monkeypaws GCL Twins

Monkeypaws

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Count me in the minority I guess, but I've liked this trade from day 1. Meyer just looks like an absolute stud, and I haven't read anything to change that opinion: more the contrary actually.

 

I couldn't care less about next year if the Twins can field a great young team in a couple years with some real chops. Meyer will track nicely with the rest of the goodies on the farm at this point.

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jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

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He has got to fix his mechanics, if he is able to do that we very well could be looking at an ace type potential pitcher. That is very exciting to me.

 

OK. So Good News, on at least one aspect of Alex Meyer's future, Cameron and Dave have reached Common Ground.

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jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

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Judging solely by his stats, I'd say this isn't a mechanics fix like Guerra was... it's more of a "finding a consistent release point" kind of thing, which comes with repetition. I don't think Meyer is nearly the project as some seem to think, and judging by the numbers, I'd say he has gotten a bit closer each year.

 

I would be careful making any judgements using stats. He was a college pitcher with an upper 90's fastball playing in A ball. he could have been missing his spots by a mile but still getting swings because he was flat out better than the competition. It wouldn't surprise me if the walks rose quite a bit as he moves up in the minors.

 

FWIW - I like Meyer more everyday and I'm going to try not to get carried away but I also can't wait to see what he does in AA and hopefully AAA this season.

 

This is shaping up to be that kind of year for Twins fans. Many, if not most nights in 2013, it's going to be far more interesting finding out what's happening in New Britain and Rochester (and even the A level teams for that matter). When is the last time for the Twins that there was a collection of guys with these kinds of high ceilings who are either knocking at the door or are possibly a season or two away? Since the Twins have essentially admitted that 2013 is a throwaway, I am strongly in favor of more trading and signings with an eye focused on 2014-5, heck, it might be worth it to get the MiLB video package

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ThePuck First Round Pick

ThePuck

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Agreed. Ryan summarized it best when he said by the time these guys hit AA/AAA they are virtually unattainable. If you want a shot at a guy with his stuff you have to make a deal when they are still in A ball.

 

or maybe draft them?

 

Should have thought about that a long time ago :-)

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DaveW All-Star

DaveW

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Agreed. Ryan summarized it best when he said by the time these guys hit AA/AAA they are virtually unattainable. If you want a shot at a guy with his stuff you have to make a deal when they are still in A ball.

 

or maybe draft them?

 

R.I.P Shooter Hunt :(

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jcphitman College Ball

jcphitman

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I'm still hoping the Twins will be somewhat competitive next year ... even if it's just like the Vikings to tease us enough to make the season worthwhile to follow (yet not succeeding). However, it's all prospects and minors for the most part in 2013. If we're out of it before the trade deadline, we'll be monitoring that big time ... what vets could bring us what prospects?

 

I'm very excited for Meyer. It's nice to see us finally have a pitcher with high upside instead of hearing the usual pieces we have outside of Gibson. I have to wonder if this kid knows how starved the fans are for a big time ace like pitcher?

 

Boras worries me as his agent, but that's not for years down the road. He's cost controlled for a while and we'll cross the Boras bridge much later on. For now, we can just smile we have hope with one pitcher who hopefully will turn into more good ones to follow. Hope is a big thing these days!

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kab21 GCL Twins

kab21

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I already tuned out to the MLB team last season and spent more time following the prospects. it's just going to get better next season since very few disappointed and now they have added meyer and the #4 pick in addition to full season ball for several that were in rk ball last year.

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Brock Beauchamp GOAT

Brock Beauchamp

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"Meyer said in a September interview that he throws mostly two-seam fastballs now and still gets that mid-90s velocity, putting him in Kevin Brown territory for a power sinker. His fastball touched 99 in the Futures Game."

 

The good news: Kevin Brown's power sinker was fierce.

 

The bad news: Kevin Brown got that power sinker by using his upper body and back, which caused him to break down in quite an ugly fashion.

 

Hopefully Meyer can use his height and the leverage that comes with it to get that kind of power from his legs instead of his torso.

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Brock Beauchamp GOAT

Brock Beauchamp

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Would you be surprised at all if he didn't start in AA this year?

 

Not at all. The Twins haven't had a chance to coach this guy at all. They may want to see what they have in him instead of throwing him into the upper minors right off the bat.

 

I won't mind if they start him in Ft. Myers. I will only mind if they keep him there for half a season or more while he's dominating hitters.

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DaveW All-Star

DaveW

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I don't care where he starts the season, my main concern is they get his mechanics under control. I won't worry if he struggles a bit during that time either, you gotta get that fixed though if you want him to be a front of the line starter.

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diehardtwinsfan Minnesota Twins

diehardtwinsfan

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"Meyer said in a September interview that he throws mostly two-seam fastballs now and still gets that mid-90s velocity, putting him in Kevin Brown territory for a power sinker. His fastball touched 99 in the Futures Game."

 

The good news: Kevin Brown's power sinker was fierce.

 

The bad news: Kevin Brown got that power sinker by using his upper body and back, which caused him to break down in quite an ugly fashion.

 

Hopefully Meyer can use his height and the leverage that comes with it to get that kind of power from his legs instead of his torso.

 

 

true, but if memory serves me right, Kevin Brown was quite effective for his first team... not so much after...

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diehardtwinsfan Minnesota Twins

diehardtwinsfan

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I don't care where he starts the season, my main concern is they get his mechanics under control. I won't worry if he struggles a bit during that time either, you gotta get that fixed though if you want him to be a front of the line starter.

 

From the looks of it, he has made quite a bit of progress in that area. The walk rate has dropped pretty consistently from college even into the pros. I think starting him in A+ isn't a bad idea, in part because it's a pitcher's league anyways, and in part because he only got 7 starts in A+ last season. I expect him to get 7-10 starts this year and then a promotion to AA.

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Brock Beauchamp GOAT

Brock Beauchamp

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"Meyer said in a September interview that he throws mostly two-seam fastballs now and still gets that mid-90s velocity, putting him in Kevin Brown territory for a power sinker. His fastball touched 99 in the Futures Game."

 

The good news: Kevin Brown's power sinker was fierce.

 

The bad news: Kevin Brown got that power sinker by using his upper body and back, which caused him to break down in quite an ugly fashion.

 

Hopefully Meyer can use his height and the leverage that comes with it to get that kind of power from his legs instead of his torso.

 

true, but if memory serves me right, Kevin Brown was quite effective for his first team... not so much after...

 

Oddly enough, he was most effective through his second and third teams and from age 30-34. I thought he was younger than that when he played for Florida and the Padres.

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beckmt GCL Twins

beckmt

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I hope they start him in New Britian to see what they have. They can always send him back if they need to. Top level prospects need to move forward and be challenged. I do not see what 7 -10 starts in Fort Myers would gain him. He already had 7 starts in High - A and dominated.

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diehardtwinsfan Minnesota Twins

diehardtwinsfan

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I hope they start him in New Britian to see what they have. They can always send him back if they need to. Top level prospects need to move forward and be challenged. I do not see what 7 -10 starts in Fort Myers would gain him. He already had 7 starts in High - A and dominated.

 

not as much as you'd like... the K rate dropped pretty significantly, and while that could just be SSS, it doesn't hurt to let him get some time in there. He'll be in AA this year no doubt, the question is whether he starts there or gets promoted... The Twins aren't shy to move a guy if needed. Garza went from A+ to AAA in one year. Meyer can do it too if he's good.

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PseudoSABR Cedar Rapids Kernels

PseudoSABR

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I hope they start him in New Britian to see what they have. They can always send him back if they need to. Top level prospects need to move forward and be challenged. I do not see what 7 -10 starts in Fort Myers would gain him. He already had 7 starts in High - A and dominated.

 

not as much as you'd like... the K rate dropped pretty significantly, and while that could just be SSS, it doesn't hurt to let him get some time in there. He'll be in AA this year no doubt, the question is whether he starts there or gets promoted... The Twins aren't shy to move a guy if needed. Garza went from A+ to AAA in one year. Meyer can do it too if he's good.

Or he can skip AAA altogether, if he's good. AAA houses depth more than it ever does prospects; so we should discount the weight of AAA in terms of progression, I think. Let him start in Ft. Myers and pitch in New Britain most of the year. That still puts him on track for possible significant ML time in 2014.

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