Dan Meyer Stats & Scouting Report

IP	113
ERA	5.496
WHIP	1.558
BB/9	4.54
SO/9	7.327

Full name Daniel Livingston Meyer
Born 07/03/1981 in Woodbury, NJ
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: L
School James Madison
Debut 09/14/2004
Drafted in the 1st round (34th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2002 (signed for $1,000,000).

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James Madison has two lefthanders who should go in the first five rounds, with the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Meyer pegged to go a round sooner than 6-foot-1, 185-pound Jared Doyle. Meyer is not as refined as Doyle but throws a little harder, up to 93 mph, and is stronger. He has two above-average pitches, his fastball and a split-finger. He has greater upside than Doyle and must smooth out his arm action and refine his changeup.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Marlins have liked Meyer ever since the Braves drafted him 34th overall in the 2002. Six years later they finally had a chance to acquire him--after his stock had dropped so much that they were able to claim him off waivers from the Athletics. He ranked as the top lefthanded pitching prospect in the upper minors when he was the key piece in the trade that sent Tim Hudson to Atlanta in 2004, but Meyer has been stymied by injuries and ineffectiveness ever since. That lends further credence to the belief that the Braves don't make many mistakes when trading their own pitching prospects. Meyer's struggles with Oakland were both physical and mental. He had surgery in 2006 to remove a small piece of bone from his throwing shoulder, and his confidence and his mechanics fell apart. Though his performance last year wasn't particularly inspiring, Florida believes he could be on the verge of a breakthrough. His fastball velocity has returned to the low 90s, and his slider could yet become a plus pitch. Regaining the feel for his changeup has proven more difficult, and it was never considered more than average at best in the past. After spending most of the last four years in Triple-A, Meyer will get a chance to break camp with the Marlins as a situational lefty or middle reliever.
Meyer was considered a key part of the 2004 deal that sent Tim Hudson to Atlanta, but continued shoulder problems prevented him from making an immediate impact in the system. He struggled in back-to-back years in Triple-A while trying to pitch through the injury before the A's shut him down in late May of 2006. Meyer had surgery to remove a small piece of bone from his left shoulder, and he returned somewhat to form in 2007. His velocity came back to 91-92 mph and his slider again showed flashes of being a plus pitch. His breaking ball will flatten out at times, but the further he's gotten away from surgery, the more the bite and depth have returned. He's also trying to regain the feel on his changeup, which was solid-average at its best in the past. Meyer has a chance to make the big league rotation out of spring training, and will see time in the majors one way or another in 2008 if he remains healthy.
Considered the key to the offseason Tim Hudson deal with the Braves, Meyer was expected to immediately step into the big league rotation and contribute. Considered the top lefthanded pitching prospect in Triple-A in 2004, he couldn't have been a bigger disappointment. He posted a 7.78 ERA in big league camp and a 5.36 ERA in Triple-A--nearly double his previous career mark. Worse yet, he batted season-long shoulder soreness that never was fully explained. Meyer was the system's biggest enigma, as every aspect of his game took a significant step backwards. Armed with a 91-94 mph fastball in 2004, he rarely hit 90 after the trade. His slider went from a plus pitch to a flat, easily hittable offering. Mechanically, Meyer became unhinged, flying open on nearly every pitch and landing sloppily on his front foot. In less than six months, he went from a projected middle-of-the-rotation starter to a pitcher who couldn't retire minor leaguers with any consistency. The A's aren't sure what to expect from Meyer at this point, but they'd be happy if he could just get 100 percent healthy so they can assign him to Triple-A in an attempt to rediscover his stuff.
When the A's traded Tim Hudson to the Braves, general manager Billy Beane insisted on getting Meyer, the top lefthanded pitching prospect in Triple-A last season. A supplemental first-round pick in 2002, he was the highest-drafted college player by the Braves since they took Mike Kelly second overall in 1991. Meyer does a fine job of throwing strikes and keeping the ball down in the zone, and though he's usually around the plate he's not easy to hit. He has two plus pitches in his 91-93 mph fastball and his tight slider, and his changeup is also effective. After using it mainly for show in the past, Meyer began relying on his changeup more often in 2004. He still could use some more depth on his changeup and more consistency with his slider. He made his major league debut with two scoreless innings in September, and Oakland will give him every opportunity to win a rotation job in spring training. If he doesn't make the cut, he shouldn't need too much more time in Triple-A.
In his first full pro season, Meyer split 2003 between two Class A clubs and pitched as consistently as anyone in the organization. He gave his team a chance to win every time he took the mound, allowing three earned runs or fewer in 24 of his 28 starts. Meyer has above-average stuff and outstanding command. He throws a low-90s fastball with plus movement. His slider is also on the verge of becoming an above-average pitch. His strikeout-walk ratio is a gaudy 4.7-1 in pro ball. Meyer's focus and concentration level are assets, and he wants the ball with the game on the line. Meyer needs to polish his changeup and become more consistent with the pitch. He also needs to do a better job against lefthanders, who hit a surprising .306 off him in 2003. Righties batted just .220. With a promotion to Double-A on the immediate horizon, Meyer is moving as quickly as any pitcher in the organization. He could push to join the big league rotation at some point in 2005.
Atlanta scouting director Roy Clark said he believes the Braves got a steal when they grabbed Meyer with the 34th overall pick last June. Clark also said he would have taken Meyer with his first pick, 23rd overall, had Jeff Francoeur not been available. The highest-drafted collegian by the Braves since they took Mike Kelly second overall in 1991, Meyer ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the Appalachian League in his pro debut. He projects as either a middle-of-the-rotation starter or a key bullpen lefthander. Meyer has an 89-93 mph fastball with great late movement and sink. His best pitch is a plus straight changeup that scouts say is better than that of most big leaguers. He also has a hard slider that has shown steady development and should become a third plus pitch. Meyer does a fine job of mixing his pitches, which also include a curveball and splitter, and shows an outstanding feel for pitching. Scouts love Meyer's lanky body, loose arm and sound mechanics. It wouldn't be a surprise if Meyer started to move fast through the organization and landed as high as Double-A during 2003.

Minor League Top Prospects

Meyer continued his fast ascent through the Braves organization, opening his second full season in Double-A and finishing it with a September callup to Atlanta. He pitched so well that he even drew consideration for a spot on the Braves' postseason roster. Meyer shows good stuff, with a low-90s fastball, plus slider and improving changeup. But he impresses more with his composure and command. He doesn't issue many walks and he also doesn't give hitters many solid swings. Though he pitched in relief in the majors, he projects as a solid No. 3 starter.
There was some debate as to which Braves lefthander had the higher ceiling, Meyer or fellow first-round pick Macay McBride. While McBride struggled and moved to the bullpen this year in Double-A, Meyer dominated at that level and didn't miss a beat after coming to the IL. He features a 91-93 mph fastball with a slider that has become an above-average pitch. His changeup has progressed beyond more than just a pitch for show, and he used it more in 2004 than he had in the past. "He's a big-game pitcher," Richmond manager Pat Kelly said. "He pitches every game with that same level of intensity--as if it was the last game of the season with it all on the line."
The Braves love high school players, but they couldn't pass up Meyer with the 34th overall pick in 2002. He has posted a 2.83 ERA in his first two pro seasons, including identical 2.87 marks at Rome and high Class A Myrtle Beach in 2003. Meyer touches 94 mph and pitches comfortably between 89-92. His fastball features good sink and tail, and his changeup is a deceptive plus pitch thrown with the same arm speed as his heater. His diverse arsenal also includes a slider and occasional splitter.
Like Maine, Meyer dominated the SAL and had no problem making the jump to high Class A. He pitched well through adversity, as Myrtle Beach went 23-46 in the second half. Meyer allowed a total of two earned runs in his final three starts, but went 0-2 as the Pelicans blew a lead in one game and didn't score in the others. Meyer has superb command of three pitches: a fastball that topped out at 93 mph, a hard slider and a changeup that rivaled the best in the league. He also has made strides with his curveball and splitter. "I love his body and his mechanics," one scout said. "He has a real fluid motion in his delivery that causes some deception, but with the way his changeup moves, he doesn't really need to deceive anybody."
The Braves deviated from their usual drafting philosophy to take Meyer 34th overall in June. The James Madison produce became Atlanta's highest-drafted collegian since Mike Kelly went No. 2 overall in 1991. Meyer didn't disappoint. He showed excellent overall stuff, topped by an 89-91 mph fastball with outstanding late movement. His second pitch is a plus changeup that many managers believed is better than most in the majors. He also has a hard slider that should develop into a solid third pitch. Meyer left the greatest impression, however, with his ability to control his pitches on both sides of the plate. "He has a good idea of what he's trying to do on the mound," Henriquez said. "In my opinion, he will be a No. 2 or 3 starter in the big leagues."