Brett Myers

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #2 prospect in 2002
  Myers was challenged by jumping past Clearwater into Reading's rotation as one of the youngest players in Double-A in 2001. The fiery righthander answered the call. Myers showcased his overpowering arsenal in two scoreless innings at Safeco Field in the Futures Game. For the second year, Myers got better as the season went on, proving his durability. He added a darting two-seam fastball to a dominant 92-94 mph four-seamer that touches 95-96. He also throws a plus-plus curveball with late, sharp bite, and he has an average changeup. Myers didn't make the Eastern League Top 20 Prospect list because he didn't consistently show his outstanding stuff. Some think his future is in the bullpen because of his intensity and delivery, but he has smoothed out his mechanics and built up his endurance. His emotions sometimes get the best of him. Like he was a year ago behind Jimmy Rollins, Myers is the organization's No. 1A prospect. He'll anchor the staff someday like his idol Curt Schilling, and he shares the same big league swagger. Myers went 6-0, 3.26 after a pep talk from Schilling in Seattle, and he was generally more in control of himself in the second half.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #2 prospect in 2001
  After an All-America high school career, Myers took the first step last year toward backing up his claim to be the next Curt Schilling. He's built along the same lines and displayed similar workhorse capabilities by logging at least six innings in 15 consecutive starts last summer. Myers appeared to get stronger and more polished as the season went on. Armed with the best fastball in the system, Myers comes right after hitters with a pure power arsenal. He fires his lively heater consistently at 92-93 mph and can pump it up as high as 96. His hard-breaking curveball already is becoming a second plus pitch to put hitters away with. A former amateur boxer, Myers brings a fighting mentality to the mound at times. He still is learning to control his emotions and his pitches. His mindset and his maximum-effort delivery have led some to wonder if his future is as a closer. Myers' performance last year buried many of those concerns. He's a future No. 1 prospect and potential ace. He'll be handled with care, progressing one step at a time, though it will be hard to hold him back when he starts to overpower Class A hitters.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #2 prospect in 2002
  The former boxer was a knockout winner as the IL's best pitching prospect. Myers' confidence borders on cockiness, and managers agreed his intensity was a key to his success. He wasn't daunted in his big league debut, outdueling Mark Prior to win at Wrigley Field. Myers is a poised, professional pitcher who goes right after batters with three above-average pitches. Managers rated his fastball the best in the league. His four-seamer tops out at 96 mph, and his two-seamer has a lot of life. He also has a dominating curveball and a plus changeup. "He has a bright future," Toledo manager Bruce Fields said. "Barring injury, the sky's the limit. He dominated every time he pitched against us. The command of his pitches and his presence was spectacular."
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #7 prospect in 2000
  There’s no doubt about Myers’ intensity. He went 12-0 with 11 knockouts as a 12- and 13-year-old boxer, encouraged by his father, who promoted fights involving Larry Holmes and Leon Spinks. These days, Myers punches out hitters with a mid-90s fastball and a sharp curve. His changeup got better as the season got older. He’s a workhorse who should eat up plenty of innings once he arrives in Philadelphia. Other managers thought Myers needed work on situational pitching, his changeup and holding runners. But few of them questioned the progress and ability of a 6-foot-4 power pitcher who was 19 for most of the season.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #33 prospect in 2002
• Ranked Baseball America's #47 prospect in 2001

• December, 2001 Scouting Report
  Myers was challenged by jumping past Clearwater into Reading's rotation as one of the youngest players in Double-A in 2001. The fiery righthander answered the call. Myers showcased his overpowering arsenal in two scoreless innings at Safeco Field in the Futures Game. For the second year, Myers got better as the season went on, proving his durability. He added a darting two-seam fastball to a dominant 92-94 mph four-seamer that touches 95-96. He also throws a plus-plus curveball with late, sharp bite, and he has an average changeup. Myers didn't make the Eastern League Top 20 Prospect list because he didn't consistently show his outstanding stuff. Some think his future is in the bullpen because of his intensity and delivery, but he has smoothed out his mechanics and built up his endurance. His emotions sometimes get the best of him. Like he was a year ago behind Jimmy Rollins, Myers is the organization's No. 1A prospect. He'll anchor the staff someday like his idol Curt Schilling, and he shares the same big league swagger. Myers went 6-0, 3.26 after a pep talk from Schilling in Seattle, and he was generally more in control of himself in the second half.
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  There’s no doubt about Myers’ intensity. He went 12-0 with 11 knockouts as a 12- and 13-year-old boxer, encouraged by his father, who promoted fights involving Larry Holmes and Leon Spinks. These days, Myers punches out hitters with a mid-90s fastball and a sharp curve. His changeup got better as the season got older. He’s a workhorse who should eat up plenty of innings once he arrives in Philadelphia. Other managers thought Myers needed work on situational pitching, his changeup and holding runners. But few of them questioned the progress and ability of a 6-foot-4 power pitcher who was 19 for most of the season.