2020 #3 Overall Pick, Max Meyer Might Be Part of Marlins MLB Plans Immediately, Per Report

Former Minnesota Golden Gopher, Max Meyer’s career in Major League Baseball couldn’t be off to a better start (outside of the whole Coronavirus thing). Not only was he selected third overall by the Miami Marlins earlier this month, in the MLB Draft, but he is also expected to make their 60-player “spring” training list when camps begin on July 1, per a report from MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.

Marlins are strongly considering and even likely to include No. 3 overall pick Max Meyer, flame-throwing U. of Minnesota RHP, in their 60-player pool at camp. assuming he signs. He is very close to a deal. They believe he could be quick to the majors.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 26, 2020

Meyer was projected to be a top-10 pick in the draft, but hearing his name called at #3 overall was still a bit of a shock. There won’t be a minor league season so could Max see time in the MLB before ever gracing the MiLB? That would be even crazier.

However, this is clearly a strange year for everyone. Not only will the minor leaguers not get to play, but with only 60 games on the MLB schedule, the normal “marathon” season will now be a sprint.

CAN HE MAKE A 2020 APPEARANCE?

An invite to a specialized spring training, when other minor league games won’t be played is one thing… but, could we really see Meyer on the Marlins taxi-squad, or even their 26-man roster, in 2020?

Some believe so! Meyer is unlikely to see innings as a starter, like he projects to be eventually, but he could eat up innings in relief. It’s an early opportunity to cement himself as the future in Miami and one of the up and coming faces of Major League Baseball.

I touched on this earlier today. Max Meyer could very well be part of the 2020 season. Even if not as a starter (this year), throwing some innings relief. Many established starters pitched at least a few innings of relief as rookies. https://t.co/2ZKJEoPK8F

— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) June 26, 2020

TIME TO SHINE

Yet if you think about it, this move makes sense. The Marlins are a struggling franchise. Having gone 57-105 in 2019 and with a 40-man roster who’s average age is 27.8, which is below league average. Meyer fits right in at 21 years old. At least he can have a beer if he struggles. Max isn’t expected to be the only youngster in camp, either.

But with a flame-thrower like Meyer, the Marlins likely want to see what the kid can do against “big league” talent. Even if in a controlled environment like this secondary spring training.

At six feet tall and 200 pounds, Max Meyer is loaded with a 70-rated (out of 80) fastball that touches 100 MPH and a slider that usually sits in the mid-90s. This kid has the goods.

Just gonna leave this three-pitch strikeout from @Marlins first-round pick Max Meyer here.

And point out he's now in our Top ?: https://t.co/ulLqloPgF1 pic.twitter.com/RMwYpHdN0E

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 26, 2020

This is especially true, when looking at who his competition is. You have a bunch of young and struggling starters on one side, and washed up relievers that average an ERA over 4.75, on the other. His chances of being called up in 2020 are likely the highest of any 2020 draft pick.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF

As we wrote earlier this month, Meyer has been training for this day since he was kid. Having been the youngest sibling in his family, he understands what it takes to rise above and the work it takes to do it. Hell, if adding 40 pounds of muscle over the offseason doesn’t prove that, I don’t know what does!

The kid has potential and everyone in Minnesota, and the league, should be excited to see what he can do at the next level!

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan