The Marlins will likely be without top pitching prospect Max Meyer for the entire 2023 season after he underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of July. Whether it’s a return late in the ’23 season or for Opening Day 2024, the former No. 3 overall pick is still a pivotal arm for the organization’s future — but a role has yet to be determined. Scouting reports on Meyer have long suggested that he could eventually land in the bullpen, and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre tells Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that the right-hander indeed has traits that “lean more on a bullpen guy.” Stottlemyre emphasized that Meyer will still get a look as a starter to “see how his changeup develops, see how he reacts to getting through the lineup three times” but also noted that Meyer’s elite slider, max-effort delivery and general mentality on the mound all lend themselves to potential bullpen work. “He is wired a lot like a bullpen guy,” said Stottlemyre.
Jackson’s piece also contains detailed thoughts from both Stottlemyre and outgoing skipper Don Mattingly on a number of the team’s young arms, including Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett, Sixto Sanchez and top prospect Eury Perez. General manager Kim Ng, meanwhile, appeared as a guest in the booth during yesterday’s game and broadly discussed the team’s rotation depth (Twitter link, with video, via Bally Sports Florida).
Some more notes out of Miami…
- Although Mattingly is on the way out as the team’s manager, he revealed yesterday that he’s at least spoken to Marlins owner Bruce Sherman about the possibility of remaining with the organization in another role (Twitter link via Jackson). The 61-year-old Mattingly stated that, while nothing has been agreed upon yet, “nothing’s off the table” either. Mattingly noted at the time of his release that he was looking forward to spending time with his family but also “to any future endeavors,” strongly suggesting that he does not plan to retire and that he’s open to opportunities both with the Marlins or with another club. There will be quite a few managerial openings this winter, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mattingly surface as a candidate for several of them. The Rangers, Angels, Phillies, White Sox and Blue Jays all currently have “interim” managers after in-season dismissals of their Opening Day personnel, though some of those interim skippers could be moved into a full-time role for the 2023 season.
- Marlins general manager Kim Ng was a guest in the booth on yesterday’s broadcast and said that any decisions pertaining to the coaching staff will likely wait until a new manager is hired (Twitter link, with video, via Bally Sports Florida). MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola wrote recently, however, that the Marlins will likely try to retain Stottlemyre as pitching coach, though they’ll likely have competition from other clubs in that regard. “I guess fortunate thing for Mel and unfortunate thing for the organization, Mel’s probably going to have options,” Mattingly said last week when asked about Stottlemyre.
The Royals have an “interim” manager? Who might that be?
A 23 year old already needing TJ surgery? A max effort thrower also doesn’t bode too well for much of a career.
TJ doesnt have a time limit? Jake DeGrom had TJ when he was like 22
Statistically, I think your statement is deceiving. Post-TJ outcomes are distributed. There is a large cluster around 7-8 years post-surgery when there is re-injury. That’s important because patients are much less likely to return to peak form after the second TJ surgery.
great – Eovaldi is a max effort thrower who had his first TJS at Age 17 and second TJS at Age 26.
Look, I’m no scout, but it feels very premature for Meyer to be written off as a SP.
The Marlins have one of the worst scouting departments in the league, as evidenced by some the lack of hitting talents through all levels of the minors, I typically take whatever they say with more than a grain of salt and then assume exactly the opposite.
I agree. Way to early to give up on an SP role for Meyer. Wouldn’t be surprised if Elias in Baltimore swings a deal for him in exchange for an Os position player prospect or 2. Plus, the Ms and the Os have cordial and recent trade history.
Most said Strider was a bullpen guy. And he got better as a starter. Let Meyer play it out.
No real manager will want that job. They’ll wind up hiring a no namer looking to redeem himself after getting fired years ago or some retread like the Mets did with Showalter
Showalter is a “retread”? What is the definition here, more than 3 jobs on his resume? That probably makes most of the working population in the US “retreads”
Buck is on his 5th team and if you count his pitiful analysis on Baseball Tonight, that’s 6 gigs. Retread.
The amount of teams that have strong loyalty to one manager though has never been an overwhelmingly large number. And I feel like it’s actually gotten increasingly smaller. Granted, Showalter has been around long enough to where there were more loyal teams, but I don’t feel like he’s ever really been a part of one of them super loyal teams. Braves old ownership was obviously super loyal to Bobby Cox. Their new ownership will likely always be the “what have you done for me lately?” That’s a bigger thing is that with teams getting sold, new owners are going to be less and less loyal to one guy.
Do I think he’s an all time great manager? Not necessarily. But I’d say he’s above the label of a retread.
slider – Mets, Braves, Cardinals, Yankees, Dodgers.
Guess which HOF Manager that is.
Sub .500 with two of them. Joe was only good while with the Yankees and should have won more than 4 titles with all that talent.
Showalter had been Fired 3 other times from past managerial jobs. Yankees, Orioles and Rangers. So yes he is most definitely a retread!!!
I believe the saying is ” managers are hired to be fired”. That has proven to be true. Managers are usually not a long-term hire.
Daryl – It is very true. Most teams perform better immediately after hiring a new manager, because the change provides a spark.
Even in the real world, it’s recommended employees leave after no more than 10 years because both the employer and employee become stagnant if they don’t.
Really like to see Mattingly w the White Sox
Why would the marlins draft a pitcher 3rd overall when your scouts suggest his home will eventually be in the bullpen lol Only the marlins smh
I wouldn’t mind if he’s the next Billy Wagner. Besides, the Marlins have much more problems in the bullpen than in the rotation.
If he can be a dominant starter for 5-6 innings, that’s all you need from him. Not every SP is going to be an Alcantara type lol.. as for Sixto, I think he needs to be converted to the bullpen. A multi inning type of bullpen arm or maybe even a closer to keep him healthy.
Stott ought to take his fine work somewhere else. this front office is going no where.
I think MSJr, should move on and get his own identity, w/o Baseball Donnie! Just my opinion, worth a couple of real dimes!
Man I was burnt to the ground in early 021 when I suggested as hard as Meyer throws and his slight build he was a TJ candidate before 2022.. Well looky-looky. Still a helluva talent but he needs less stress Off-Speed pitches.
Now that Mattingly is gone, Stottlemyre is the only coach that deserves job security.
If the next manager retains the hitting coach, they should fire the next manager immediately after that decision.
Kim Ng needs to come through with a Closer.