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Mr. Ed -> RE: Players and prospects III (6/8/2015 5:48:28 AM)
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Four highly successful relief appearances does not a career change make, but it's at least food for thought with regard to Alex Meyer.
Then again, his recent performances out of the bullpen might just be the first four steps on the path to regaining his prime form as a starting pitcher.
The Rochester Red Wings and Minnesota Twins certainly aren't rushing to judgment. They like what they've seen from the new Alex Meyer — including the three scoreless innings he pitched in the Wings' 4-3 walk-off victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Sunday — but there's no reason to proclaim the move out of the starting rotation is permanent.
"I stay away from those things," Wings manager Mike Quade said when asked about the long-term projection. "I've been doing this too long; development is what it is.
"He's got value standing on that bump and we'll figure it out — and he'll figure it out — down the road what that's going to be."
Meyer, 25, came into the season with great promise. He tied for the International League lead in strikeouts last year (153 in 1301/3 innings) as a Triple-A rookie, going 7-7 with a 3.52 ERA in 27 starts. He was given the ball for this year's opening day start in Buffalo.
But he wasn't the same pitcher. In eight starts, he had a 2-3 record with a bloated 7.09 ERA. He pitched through the fifth inning just four times.
“I think, and you give credit to the kid, it’s worked out and he’s comfortable right now doing it...His velocity is up a few ticks and even his soft game I think has been a little bit better.””
Mike Quade, Red Wings manager
So, back on May 21, the decision was made to move Meyer to the bullpen. He would be able to work some things that ailed him, like his release point, his consistency in finding the strike zone, his curve which no longer had deadly bite.
He was OK with the idea, too.
"I was all for it," Meyer said. "Obviously I knew I was not doing well as a starter. You can't keep bringing the bullpen into the game in the fourth and fifth inning. I've got guys around me (the other starters) pitching into the seventh and eighth every single time, and when I go out there and lay an egg and the bullpen has to come in in the fifth inning ... you can see where that would be tough."
Now he's the guy working middle-inning to set-up relief. Sunday was his fourth game and the numbers are impressive: A combined 62/3 innings with just two hits allowed, three walks and nine strikeouts. He registered 98 mph a few times on Sunday with his fastball.
"I think, and you give credit to the kid, it's worked out and he's comfortable right now doing it," Quade said. "We've tried to give him time between outings. His velocity is up a few ticks and even his soft game I think has been a little bit better."
Meyer has been required to learn the nuances of relief. Like how to warm up quickly. And how to warm up but then sit back down in the bullpen because the current pitcher escaped trouble. He said his fellow relievers have passed along tips.
Then there's adopting the mindset of a reliever as opposed to a starter.
"As a starter I have to try to plan a little better, I guess, that's one way to put it," Meyer said. "Do I show them my pitches now? Do I throw this now because I'm going to face them later?
“While I’m in the bullpen, it’s go get ’em. Do whatever you have to do to get them out. I’m just trying to go out there and attack every batter.”
Alex Meyer, Red Wings pitcher
"While I'm in the bullpen, it's go get 'em. Do whatever you have to do to get them out. I'm just trying to go out there and attack every batter. Get one batter out at a time and try not to over-analyze things any more than that."
He pitched the fifth, sixth and seventh innings on Sunday and didn't figure in the decision. Caleb Thielbar was the winner as the Wings erased a 3-2 deficit with two runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Oswaldo Arcia hit a deep bases-loaded sacrifice fly to drive home Danny Ortiz with the tying run and Reynaldo Rodriguez came home right behind him when shortstop Nick Noonan air-mailed the relay wildly past third base.
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