RHP Max Meyer, Minnesota
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DoB: 3/12/1999.
2020 Stats: 3-1, 1.95 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 46/8 K/BB in 27.2 IP
Meyer entered the season firmly in the first round conversation, though he was closer to the back than the front due to his lack of a track record as a starter. Indeed, he was excellent as a reliever in his freshman 2018 season (2.06 ERA, 54/13 K/BB) as a swingman in his sophomore 2019 (2.11 ERA, 87/20 K/BB), and in a brief stint with the US Collegiate National Team (0.69 ERA, 10/2 K/BB), but with a slight build and just eleven collegiate starts under his belt, he was a little bit of a question mark. Well, he changed that in a big way in 2020 and has pushed himself into the top ten conversation. One of the few pitchers in the country to have all four of his starts come against Power Five teams this spring, he went out and dominated Oregon, TCU, UNC, and Utah, in order. Those last two starts really vaulted him to where he is now, as he combined to strike out 29 over 17 innings of work against the Tar Heels and Utes, allowing just one earned run on nine hits and three walks (he allowed three unearned runs in the ninth inning against Utah, but he had thrown eight shutout with 15 strikeouts up until then).
Meyer's huge success hasn't merely been statistical. He added even more velocity to his fastball, which has been in the low to mid 90's in the past, and he now sits in the mid to upper 90's with the ability to touch 100. Meyer also brings a devastating slider that pairs great velocity up around 90 with wicked downward tilt, and it's pretty safely the best slider in a class full of great curveballs. He throws a good changeup as well, but to this point his upper 90's heat and 90 MPH slider have been more than enough to keep opposing lineups at bay all game long. He also does a great job of throwing strikes, and while his command isn't pinpoint, it's safely above average and will work to his benefit going forward.
While he didn't get the chance to show he could hold up in a rotation for a full season, he did enough in his first four starts to convince evaluators he could start at the next level despite a skinny 6' build. He's a great athlete and repeats his delivery well, which also bodes well to a future in the rotation. Meyer is also a fierce competitor, and he can be seen bouncing around on the mound after completing his delivery or throwing sidearm for his last warmup pitch between innings. If you like explosive stuff, he's one you'll absolutely love to watch throw.
Meyer's loud start to the season put him firmly in the top half of the first round, and there is even some chatter about him going in as high as sixth to the Mariners. He has ace upside, with an easy comp being Luis Severino. For all of his track record and athleticism, he has yet to top 90 innings in a season even when you combine his numbers at Minnesota with his US CNT innings, which isn't his fault but which still matters. He therefore comes with a bit more risk than other college arms in this range of the draft (except Garrett Crochet), with the chance he could end up a reliever. Still, with a fastball touching triple digits, a plus-plus slider, good command, and a confident demeanor on the mound, he would make a great closer. It's an exciting package and hopefully he can avoid the injuries that have kept Severino off the mound.
Against UNC
Against Oregon
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