Drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 1996 (signed for $820,000).
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Meche was expected to be a first-round pick but was plagued by a viral infection. He lost weight and performed poorly in key games. He still could go in the first two or three rounds if a team believes he can regain his 90-91 mph fastball. His curveball is an above-average pitch.
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Background: Meche was No. 2 on this list last year, and his drop is due only to the addition of Garcia and Guillen. The Mariners still view him as a potential No. 1 starter. Since Meche's health problems in 1996, he has proved to be durable and has erased any lingering concerns. Strengths: Meche has the prototype pitcher's body and has drawn comparisons, lofty though they may be, to Kevin Brown. His fastball is a plus pitch. He added a slider to his arsenal last season after having trouble getting his late-breaking curve called for strikes. He also throws a changeup, giving him an effective three-pitch arsenal. Weaknesses: Meche needs to learn how to pitch inside more effectively and not let hitters set up for the middle-out pitch. A tighter break on his curve might be helpful, though the addition of the slider might let him save the big-breaker for particular counts. The Future: Though he has been the subject of trade rumors, Meche is still held in high regard by the Mariners. Like Anderson, he should begin the 1999 season at Lancaster.
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