Is Max Meyer our future closer?

Top prospect Max Meyer finally debuted for the Miami Marlins this season, but unfortunately his debut didn’t go as well as we hoped. There are reports now that a new role is being considered for him upon his eventual return from Tommy John Surgery in 2024. Pitching coach Mel Stortlemyer has some ideas on how to use Meyer going forward… Max Meyer May end up as a shutdown closer for The Fish instead of an ace.

Will Max Meyer end up as a closer for the Miami Marlins?

Miami Marlins pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said the following about Max Meyer:

“see how his changeup develops, see how he reacts to getting through the lineup three times… He is wired a lot like a bullpen guy.”.

In 2 games and 6 innings pitched this season, Max Meyer has a 7.50 ERA/6.44 FIP with 9.0 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9. The ERA and FIP are obviously dreadful and the walks are too high, but he’s striking out a lot of batters and that is a great sign, especially since it’s a short sample size and he gives up too many home runs for that to be sustainable (3.0 per game).

Max Meyer had phenomenal stats in the Minor Lesgues, and it seems premature and even disappointing to move him into the bullpen. The bullpen needs help though and it makes sense to consider the possibility that maybe that’s just his future and where his talents are best utilized. In thst case it seems a fire gone conclusion that he would be given every chance to be a closer. Will that happen though?

The logical thing to do as Mel Stottlemyer also said is to use him in the rotation first. Give him a chance to show if he can stick there, and if he can’t then move him to the bullpen. If he’s moved to the bullpen, then he needs to be given every chance to be used as a closer. He has dominant stuff and it shouldn’t be wasted.

Will Max Meyer end up as a closer for the Miami Marlins? Unfortunately or fortunately for his health thst might just be the way things are going to go come 2024 and his return to the mound.