Nick Meyer/Shotgun Spratling D1Baseball
The Mets have selected Cal Poly Catcher Nick Meyer in the sixth round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
Ht/Wt: 6’0”/ 195 lbs.
B/T: R/R
Age: 21
Meyer served as the backup catcher for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer and emerged as one of the top defensive catchers in the draft class this spring. The 6-foot, 175-pound Meyer calls his own game behind the plate and is an advanced receiver. He excels at stealing strikes at the bottom of the zone in particular, and guides his pitchers expertly through jams. His arm strength is consistently above-average and flashes plus, and he excels at back-picking runners off first base. Meyer offers little offensively, although he doesn’t strike out. He makes respectable contact, but projects as no more than a bottom-of-the-order hitter. Meyer’s upside is that of an A.J. Ellis-type, who makes a long career out of his defense and intangibles.
There are college catchers who can really hit, but might have to move out from behind the plate because of their defensive inefficiencies. Then there are those like Meyer, who undoubtedly have a future as a defensive backstop, with how much they hit truly determining what kind of professional career they have. A three-year starter at Cal Poly, Meyer’s glove also earned him a spot on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. He has excellent hands and moves well behind the plate, allowing him to receive and block well. He has a strong and accurate arm, recording excellent pop times to second base on a consistent basis. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has been less productive. He does make consistent contact and rarely strikes out with decent on-base skills. And he’s having his best offensive season now, albeit without any power. Meyer more than likely profiles as a backup at the next level. If his bat comes around with pro instruction, he could become a defensive-minded regular. In either case, his defensive skillset should have him off the board in the top six rounds.
I'm a fan of the Mets pick here in the 6th round, Cal Poly catcher. Nick Meyer, one of top defensive catchers in the class, MLB upside on that alone, how much he hits will determine how much upside he has
— Brian Sakowski (@B_Sakowski_PG) June 5, 2018
MMN
While Meyer excels defensively and could probably rise through the system on that merit alone, this was an interesting selection. He’s limited power-wise, which will limit his upside at the plate and overall as a prospect. Ultimately, he’s going to have to really on his good contact skills to progress through the Mets farm system.
