.  Big difference between 96 and 97 let alone 99.

Still the comparisons to Randy Johnson?  Call it poor control or bad luck or whatever, but the guy has trouble getting outs against minor leaguers.  
 

 

When I saw him pitch in August, 2014, Meyer's FB was consistently @ 97 and 98, with about a half dozen pitches @ 99. (Probably averaged 97.5-98 that night.) That kind of velocity as a starter would put him in a very exclusive class, indeed, and not just among active pitchers.

 

Meyer had no trouble getting minor leaguers out until 2015.  There's no doubt that he was a mess this season. Seems like a combination of last year's shoulder problems at the end of the season, his inconsistency with his 3rd pitch, and an inability to regain his mechanics coming off of those shoulder problems.

 

It would be very unfortunate if Meyer only reaches and establishes himself in the majors as a set-up RP, and not just and unfortunate, but a disastrous trade result with the Nationals.

Edited November 16, 201510 yr by jokin

 

The other approach: try to use the bullpen as a way to get him some success in the majors. Have him concentrate on just his best two pitches for one inning at a time. If not even that works, then down to AAA and let them figure something out with him. But if he's got good results, have him add his third pitch at about the six week mark, and when that's clicking then stretch him out with some longer relief stints, then finally move him into the starting rotation for hopefully 5 inning starts to begin with.

I would agree with this approach except for one thing I noticed when Meyer was up briefly this season: With runners on base, Meyer's game fell apart. He got eaten alive by base runners, and he appeared to lose command of the zone as he attempted to quicken his delivery. 

 

What this suggests is that in the off-season Meyer should focus from the set on quickening his delivery, varying his timing, and holding runners with at least a couple different moves. He's got to pick a few guys off to gain respect from runners, or they'll continue to dog him with stolen bases. It's part of the pro game, especially for a tall pitcher like Meyer. It takes more than just balance; it takes poise.

I would agree with this approach except for one thing I noticed when Meyer was up briefly this season: With runners on base, Meyer's game fell apart. He got eaten alive by base runners, and he appeared to lose command of the zone as he attempted to quicken his delivery.

I believe Trevor May had exactly this problem in his first stint with the Twins. They should talk to one another.

Clearly, whatever the new philosophy was that went into effect in 2015 resulted in disaster for Meyer's prospect status and downgraded prospective MLB role.

Clearly, you are ASSERTING that there is a causation relationship between "whatever the new philosophy was that went into effect in 2015" and Meyer's demise.

You have no evidence that the relationship is any more than coincidence or corelation rather than cause and effect. In fact you apparently don't know IF any change in philosophy took place or WHAT THAT CHANGE might be.

Don't let your lack of knowledge prevent you from making unfounded accusations.

Re: Meyer's stuff:  It is not "how hard he can throw", it is having a variety of pitches/location/speed to keep hitters guessing.  And here is visual evidence (look at the radar gun pictures) of a good 20 mph separation in pitches from a couple years ago.  To give you an example, Phil Hughes had an about 16 mph separation last year and a 14 this year.  Greinke's FB averaged about 92, but he did have a 20 mph separation in his pitches.

 

Meyer's problem is command and control and it comes from mechanics, imho.  The Twins need to find a mechanics guru and have him work with Meyer.  Get a repeatable delivery to throw strikes and controllable balls.  That's it.  Easier said than done, but that's what his problem is.

 

In my book, he still is the only pitcher in the Twins' organization with Ace potential.  But I don't use that word (Ace) lightly...