Marlins’ Noble Meyer Strives To Take His Game Up A Notch
The most famous graduate of Portland’s Jesuit High now residing in the Miami area is Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
One day, 2023 first-round righthander Noble Meyer might join Spoelstra on that list of famous Oregonians.
Meyer had committed to play for Oregon, but those plans evaporated when the Marlins drafted him 10th overall and signed him for $4.5 million, which was about $1 million under slot.
A 6-foot-5 righthander, Meyer is now up to 205 pounds, about 20 more than his amateur days. He made his pro debut after the draft, recording a 4.09 ERA in five starts split between the Rookie-level Florida Complex League and Low-A Jupiter.
In 11 innings, he struck out 15 batters, allowed 11 hits—no homers—and walked seven.
“There’s so much more precision required in pro baseball,” Meyer said. “In high school, I could get away with a fastball over the plate. My velo would save me.
“In the pros, they don’t care how hard you throw or how much the ball moves. If they get the pitch they’re looking for, they’ll hit it. The skill level is way bigger.”
Meyer’s velocity is impressive. He throws in the mid-to-upper 90s and has reached 101 mph in a bullpen session.
He spent the offseason working on his fastball shape and command.
“My shape can be ‘dead zone’ and hittable at times,” Meyer said. “I’m working on getting more vertical (movement), which will make my changeup more effective. I’m also working on going inside so that I can pitch away, and (also) hitting the top of the zone and not missing.”
Meyer said his slider has always been his best pitch, but his curveball has improved.
“I wanted to separate my slider and curve,” Meyer said. “There’s now a 10 (mile per hour) difference with my curve, with 15 inches more drop.”
Meyer said he’s not yet happy with his changeup and is trying to find a grip that works.
“Once the season arrives,” Meyer said, “I will nail it down.”
