Oklobzija: Meyer Embracing New Role

[Seth Stohs]

Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle's Kevin Oklobzija wrote an article on Alex Meyer and the bullpen. 

 

Meyer said this of the move to the bullpen: 

 

 

"I was all for it," Meyer said. "Obviously I knew I was not doing well as a starter. You can't keep bringing the bullpen into the game in the fourth and fifth inning. I've got guys around me (the other starters) pitching into the seventh and eighth every single time, and when I go out there and lay an egg and the bullpen has to come in in the fifth inning ... you can see where that would be tough."

 

He threw three shutout innings on Sunday and has given up just two hits and three walks in 6.2 innings. 

 

He's still learning the role and some of the subtle things about being a reliever, but it could be the best thing for him.

[gunnarthor]

Yeah, I still hope he's a longterm starter but it does look like he could be an asset out of the pen this year for the big league club.

[Squirrel]

 

Yeah, I still hope he's a longterm starter but it does look like he could be an asset out of the pen this year for the big league club.

Wasn't there a time when many were thinking May would end up in the bullpen and Meyer starting? Now it's the opposite, although I'm hoping Meyer can still get back to the rotation. 

[blairpaul715]

 

Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle's Kevin Oklobzija wrote an article on Alex Meyer and the bullpen. 

 

Meyer said this of the move to the bullpen: 

 

 

He threw three shutout innings on Sunday and has given up just two hits and three walks in 6.2 innings. 

 

He's still learning the role and some of the subtle things about being a reliever, but it could be the best thing for him.

I am glad they are trying him at reliever , more to find out if he has the mentality to do so........but i hope and think i heard it is temporary, and hope he gets another opportunity to start, and then if fails again, we know we have a backend type reliever(with many others possibly too).

[diehardtwinsfan]

Yeah, I want him starting again too and hope this is just a temporary thing.  He's far more valuable as a starter than a reliever.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Meyer seems really coachable. His first bullpen appearances seem promising. I'm ok if he finishes 2015 in relief and doesn't enter the conversation as a starter again until next spring.

[tobi0040]

 

Here are Meyer’s outings from the pen:

 

1 IP, 2 K
 

.1 IP, 1 K
 

2.1 IP, 1 h, 2 BB, 5 k
 

3 IP, 1 H, BB, K

 

Total 6.2 IP.   2 H.   0 ER.   3 BB.   9 K

[Loosey]

 

Here are Meyer’s outings from the pen:

 

1 IP, 2 K
 

.1 IP, 1 K
 

2.1 IP, 1 h, 2 BB, 5 k
 

3 IP, 1 H, BB, K

 

Total 6.2 IP.   2 H.   0 ER.   3 BB.   9 K

Mush that into one game and that is a very solid line.  I like having him in the pen now to get more game reps.  If he keeps up this type of pitching I think a promotion to major leagues as a reliever is due.  Maybe if he has success there a chance to break into the rotation next year. 

[nater79a]

Edit: Reading Kevin's article, it sounds like he's using the off-speed stuff too.

 

Do we know what mix of pitches Meyer is using as a reliever? Is it all heat (fastball, slider) or is he using the change and breaking ball?  

[laloesch]

Disappointing if his ceiling is a relief pitcher.  

[tobi0040]

I think what the Twins are trying to do is get him pitching more often, with the hope that he can repeat his mechanics. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I think what the Twins are trying to do is get him pitching more often, with the hope that he can repeat his mechanics.

 

Ironically, his recent relief appearances have lasted longer than one or two of his starts did.

 

The mechanics question is a good one.

 

Does anyone know if Meyer is pitching exclusively from the stretch? Or is he starting innings with the wind up?

[jokin]

Yeah, I still hope he's a longterm starter but it does look like he could be an asset out of the pen this year for the big league club.

Yeah, I still hope he's a longterm starter but it does look like he could be an asset out of the pen this year for the big league club.

Actually, it's looked like he should have started out in the MLB pen since ST 2014.

[jokin]

Wasn't there a time when many were thinking May would end up in the bullpen and Meyer starting? Now it's the opposite, although I'm hoping Meyer can still get back to the rotation.

Meyer will end up back in a starting role, although it's possible it won't be for the Twins, who just might lose patience and get an offer they can't refuse.