Marlins Spring Training Journal: Meyer's confidence in sweeper continues to grow

JUPITER, FL—At this point in spring, it's about pitchers stretching out and beginning to feel more comfortable for game action. On Friday, Marlins starter Max Meyer went three innings for a second time this spring and believed that he is on the right track for his first regular season start. The Marlins fell to the Boston Red Sox by a final score of 9-4.

Meyer, who made his fourth start of the spring, had some mixed results. He went three innings and allowed two runs off of three hits, one walk and struck out four. Meyer went slider-heavy, using it 33% of the time, but followed it up with his 4-seam fastball, sweeper, changeup and sinker (in order of usage).

The sweeper is Meyer's newest pitch and he has growing confidence in it. "Once I found my grip, I feel like I can throw it in any count and also dictate it to where sometimes I want to get a swing-and-miss, sometimes I want to land it in the zone and try to buckle a guy. So I love where that's at."

Following Meyer was right-handed reliever Ronny Henriquez, who went two innings, but struggled, allowing three runs off of three hits, but struck out five. He surrendered solo homers to Seby Zavala and baseball's top prospect, Roman Anthony. Henriquez's fastball averaged 95.0 mph and topped out at 97 mph. He also generated 11 whiffs.

Henriquez, who was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins, is out of minor league options and will have to make the Marlins Opening Day roster out of camp. "Ronny's had a terrific camp," said manager Clayton McCullough. "I think just looking, the quality of the stuff is there, the breaking balls, the ability to throw secondary pitches behind in counts and to get him back in. He's got a good heater that he can use up in the zone."

Offensively, it was a tough day for the Marlins all the way until the end of the game when the Marlins scored two runs in the eighth and ninth innings. First baseman Matt Mervis knocked in his seventh RBI of the spring and is now slashing .313/.333/.656/.989 with three home runs. Mervis was the only Marlin with a multi-hit game on Friday.

Notes

- Clayton McCullough told the media that Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (right middle finger blister) may miss a turn through the rotation. “Getting checked out now. Reassess for what the throwing program will look like in the days to come and how that might impact his next side and time on the mound.”

- Xavier Edwards has reached base safely in 11 of his 12 spring training games (.439 OBP).

- Cal Quantrill will start on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals

- George Soriano's final line: 2.0 IP, 3 H 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 36 NP

- Anthony Bender's final line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 14 NP

- Calvin Faucher's final line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 19 NP

What's Next?

Sandy Alcantara will take the mound for the Marlins on Saturday in West Palm Beach as they face the Houston Astros. First pitch is set for 12:05 pm.