Pitch usage changes guide Max Meyer to quality start

[Kevin Barral]

Meyer dialed back the usage of his signature slider on Friday, limiting his swing-and-miss, but improving his efficiency.

MIAMI, FL—Friday night's start against the Chicago Cubs felt like an improvement for Max Meyer. The Miami Marlins fell behind 3-1 at one point in the game, but tied it up while Meyer was still on the mound. He would receive a no-decision for his six innings of work. In the top of the eighth inning, the Cubs took a 4-3 lead, then they added insurance in the ninth when catcher Miguel Amaya took reliever Kent Emanuel deep, winning the series opener by a final score of 6-3.

Throughout this season, Meyer has been heavily reliant on his slider, making him very predictable. Entering Friday's game, Meyer had used it 42.8% of the time with his four-seam fastball following not too far behind. On Friday, his primary pitch was the fastball. Meyer used his slider 29% of the time, marking the lowest usage of his MLB career (excluding his final injury-shortened 2022 start). Meanwhile, his 26% changeup usage was the highest of his career.

"First couple innings were good," said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. "Then he gave up some hard hits in the third and fourth inning. After that, it was a quality start."

"We wanted to see him throw that a lot more in general," added Schumaker regarding Meyer's changeup. "Not just against this lineup, but we feel like that's going to be a really good pitch for him in the future and we wanted to see him continue to develop that pitch and we think it can be a real weapon. I'm proud of him to throw it and throw it with confidence."

Meyer would end the night going six innings, surrendering three runs off of six hits. He also walked two and struck out two. All three runs came off home runs. The first was a Pete Crow-Armstrong inside-the-park home run and then Ian Happ took Meyer deep for a two-run homer.

Meyer's results since being recalled from the minors have not been good with three or more earned runs allowed in every outing, but the experience has been valuable regardless.

"I've definitely got a lot more information than what I've had," said Meyer. "I think I'm going in the right direction. Once I can get all my mechanical stuff, I've really liked how I've been gameplanning with Nick (Fortes) and Mel (Stottlemyre Jr.). We've been doing a good job and getting my all my pitches involved where I want to put them in the location. I've really made some strides forward on that."

Meyer also noted in his postgame that he would like to work on his posture—he mentioned that he has been "swinging out" a little bit too much.

Meyer does not hide his frustration. He knows he can be a lot better and he knows that this Max Meyer that has pitched in his return to the Major Leagues isn't the best version of himself.

"I know I could pitch a lot better," said Meyer. "That wasn't great. That wasn't a great outing, but yeah, quality start I guess. I'm comfortable with throwing my pitches. I know I have to tune up my mechanics a little bit and then hopefully I can start clicking the rest of the season."

 

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Connor Norby, who made his Marlins debut on Monday, has recorded a hit in each game he's played in since then. Along with hitting his fourth double of the season (Orioles and Marlins games combined), Norby stole his first career base in the bottom of the second inning.

Leadoff hitter Xavier Edwards was removed prior to the third inning due to lower back discomfort. Vidal Bruján took his place and had a two-hit night.

Game two in this three-game set will take place on Saturday at 4:10 pm. It'll be Valente Bellozo taking the mound for Miami and Shota Imanaga for the Cubs.

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