Breaking down the improved pitch data of Ryan Weathers and Max Meyer entering 2025

[Sean McCormack]

Ryan Weathers and Max Meyer came into camp this spring with changes to their pitch shapes and increased velocity. 

Before going down with a forearm strain, Miami Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers was having a great spring training, and it wasn't just because he posted an ERA of 0.79 in 11 ⅓ innings of work. More importantly, noticeable changes were made in terms of his pitch data compared to last season. 

Weathers still predominantly utilized his fastball/changeup/sweeper trio this spring, but he seemingly tweaked all three pitches slightly. First, his fastball was on average 2 mph faster, sitting 97 mph and touching as high as 99.6 mph on the radar gun. This came with a increase in induced vertical break (IVB), which will up his overall fastball's shape and should improve his ability to get whiffs at the top of the strike zone. 

Weathers' changeup had an increase in spin this spring, which upped its horizontal movement, adding more depth to the pitch. This should continue to play off of his fastball very well as there now is about a 13 mph difference between the pitches.

His sweeper posted elite numbers last season. Weathers finished with a 51% whiff rate on the pitch, which ranked it in the upper echelon of baseball. The 2025 edition of it has had more drop and a bit less sweep to it. Perhaps this tweak is to play off the changeup slightly better. Weathers used his sweeper to record his final strikeout of the spring against the Mets on St. Patrick's Day. 

Weathers' injury will delay his regular season debut by several weeks, but if he comes back looking the same as he did this spring, he will comfortably be the Marlins' number two starter. 

Max Meyer struggled in the bigs last year, so he came into this spring needing to earn a rotation spot. The former third overall pick added a sweeper this offseason to pair with his gyro bullet drop slider. And just like Weathers, Meyer has shown a velo jump and fastball shape refinement.

Looking at Max's new sweeper, it is clearly a change-of-pace type of pitch. Thrown 5 mph less than his gyro slider, it has seven more inches of horizontal break on it as well. The pitch did get hit hard in the spring—considering it is the first time Meyer has competed with this pitch, there will be an adjustment period to test when and how it works. Meyer has already shown the confidence to use it against both right-handed and left-handed batters. 

Meyer's fastball is averaging six less inches of horizontal break to avoid cutting over the heart of the plate like it used to, but it has not had an increase in IVB. A velo jump was measured of about one extra mile per hour on the pitch. Meyer only gets approximately average extension down the mound, and combining with a release height which is not favorable for four-seam fastballs, his heater will still be underwhelming most likely. 

I believe an east-to-west style of pitching will work best for Max Meyer going forward. His pitch mix is similar to the likes of Michael King or Will Warren, but with a much higher arm slot. Utilizing more sinker and slider will best suit Meyer's arsenal, as his gyro slider is one of the better sliders in baseball. That should be what he and the Marlins look to continue to building off of as the real games begin. 

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[One Regend]

We say Max Meyer struggled last year, but that is only partially true.

What we always neglect to mention was he actually had a strong start to 2024.



Notable among these starts is the third start (and final start before he got injured.) That was an Atlanta lineup. And he carved those hitters for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

It seemed like he was getting better and better as the season went along.

...And then the Marlins inexplicably demoted him. This is the exact kind of move that can ruin prospect development. If he never recovers his career from this point onward, we WILL circle back to this move later. But for now, let's continue.

...And then he got injured long-term.

And then he finally came back.

...And then it became clear that the demotion and injury disrupted his rhythm and wildly threw off his mechanics.

Yes, he did struggle last year, but for the latter half of the year, and through no fault of his own. To only say he only struggled last year was disingenuous. Those first few starts are enough to show us what his true talent level is.