Alex Meyer MLB Debut

[bwille]

I recently wrote an article discussing the progress of Alex Meyer in Double-A so far this season. I posed the question towards the end of the article as to when Twins' fans can expect Meyer in the big leagues.

 

"This season, in two starts, Meyer has done nothing short of live up to expectations. In his two starts, Meyer is 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings pitched. During those starts, Meyer has given up a total of 12 hits and three earned runs, while issuing three walks and striking out an impressive 14 batters."

Alex Meyer: Minnesota Twins' Prized Pitcher Dominant in Early Starts

 

When do you think Meyer will make his big league debut and in what type of capacity? Should he have an innings limit? Should he start out of the bullpen? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

[kab21]

Assuming he makes normal progress I think his earliest debut is September of this year and his latest debut is next June/July. I can see him being the odd man out of a rotation spot in the spring since he will have options while other less talented veterans do not.

[Brandon]

I can see him coming up in September and getting a start or 2 and a couple of long relief appearances.

[Seth Stohs]

I think because he doesn't have to be added to the 40 man roster until after 2014 that he won't be a September call-up. Only reason to bring him up in September is to show Twins fans that they got a quick return on Span. My estimate: May 4th, 2014. (though I wouldn't be surprised if it is Sept 4th, 2013.)

[twinsin17]

After today's game 25/48 outs he has made have come on the ground. 19 Ks, 2 DPs and 2 fly outs. No HRs and just 3 doubles against. Hitters can't figure out how to make contact with a ball on that steep of a plane. I project future dominance. Could he be on a similar development path as Roy Halladay? I see some resemblance.

[cmathewson]

I think he'll be up in September and in the rotation. I think he'll take Gibson's spot when Kyle is shut down with his innings load. I think he'll be in Rochester after the AA All-Star Game. With an asset like Meyer, you don't worry about the 40-man or starting the clock or any of that stuff.

[IdahoPilgrim]

I think he'll be up in September and in the rotation. I think he'll take Gibson's spot when Kyle is shut down with his innings load. I think he'll be in Rochester after the AA All-Star Game. With an asset like Meyer, you don't worry about the 40-man or starting the clock or any of that stuff.

 

Heretic!

[Oxtung]

I think he won't be up until 2014. This year seems to be the year to decide on Deduno, DeVries, Hernandez and Hendriks. Then you have Gibson who will likely be the next callup, of course this depends on how he's pitching to an extent. Following that Hermsen MIGHT get a look then there is also May. That's a lot of competition for a guy who has pitched 2 games above A ball to leapfrog. I think next year is the year to decide on May and Meyer and perhaps late in the year one of the recently drafted college arms.

 

I think the better a player is the more important it is to get that 7th year of control. Especially when you're bringing up potentially pretty young guys. Let's just agree to disagree on that though. No need to go another round tilting at those windmills.

[Mike Sixel]

2014...."too many walks".

[drjim]

2014...."too many walks".

 

Bigger issue is lack of a third pitch. As soon as he can develop an average changeup he'll be up. The Twins can be patient.

[cmb0252]

Bigger issue is lack of a third pitch. As soon as he can develop an average changeup he'll be up. The Twins can be patient.

 

Hopefully the Twins will be patient because this kid has special written all over him.

 

I remember last year in one of Laws chats when asked about Gausman vs Zimmer he said, "you can teach a great change up but you are born with a great breaking ball." Or something close to that. It always stuck with me. Hopefully the Twins can teach him a good change up to go with his current two plus pitches.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'd be patient until that changeup improves. He's looking like he could be something special. This year is likely lost. Next year might be competitive, but even then I doubt they make it. I could see him getting his feet wet sometime next year, but not sooner unless that change suddenly becomes a + pitch too.

[jokin]

Given the recent implosions of the best Twins pitching prospects, no one is mentioning that the Twins highest priority might be in protecting their prize asset by utilizing the go-slow approach, focusing on mechanics adjustments over stats and severely limiting his innings?

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

I think he'll be up in September and in the rotation. I think he'll take Gibson's spot when Kyle is shut down with his innings load.

 

That's some good thinking, good strategy. I don't think he'll start 2014 in Minnesota, but he could come up over the course of the season. And by the way, there's no reason to believe that Meyer's third pitch might not come together between now and 2014--or while he's on the Twin's staff. The thought that the front office won't promote Meyer until he's got a third pitch is a fallacy. Growth and seasoning can happen during the course of a minor league--AND a major league career.

[Jim H]

Originally Posted by cmb0252

 

I remember last year in one of Laws chats when asked about Gausman vs Zimmer he said, "you can teach a great change up but you are born with a great breaking ball."

 

I agree with this and Viola, Radke and Santana are all testimony to this statement. Still, developing a great change up is not easy or everybody would do it. I doubt if developing a change up is the key to getting Meyer to the majors, although it would help. I suspect he needs to control his fastball first, and hopefully everything else will follow.

[jokin]

I agree with this and Viola, Radke and Santana are all testimony to this statement. Still, developing a great change up is not easy or everybody would do it. I doubt if developing a change up is the key to getting Meyer to the majors, although it would help. I suspect he needs to control his fastball first, and hopefully everything else will follow.

 

That, and better and more consistent mechanics or he'll be heading for TJ-land