Chase Meyer is an electric prep pitcher who continues to refine his skills on the mound. The right-handed pitcher transferred from Cherokee (Ga.) High School to Combine Academy (N.C). in the fall with the desire to develop and compete against quality talent for his final high school season.
Meyer flashed glimpses of his potential in showcase events last summer. This spring, he has continued to exhibit an electric pitch mix and the potential scouts seek in a future professional pitcher.
Scouts are intrigued by Meyer due to his well-balanced pitch mix, refined mechanics and athleticism. Meyer is receiving interest in preparation for July’s MLB draft, with scouts projecting him as a potential early-round pick.
“At first, it is kind of scary because my whole life, I viewed it as a game and something I enjoyed,” Meyer said. “Now it feels like all the eyes are on you. It can be nerve-racking. But going through the season, it is really fun because it gives you a competitive edge to go out there and compete.”
Meyer is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher who throws a four-seam fastball, curveball, sinker and slider from a whippy and quick arm action and three-quarters arm slot. He has notable athleticism and tweaked his mechanics in the offseason.
Meyer’s fastball is his best pitch. It is a mid-90s offering that touches 97 mph with run. It generates swings and misses and weak contact.
His curveball is his go-to secondary pitch. The above-average breaking pitch sometimes is confused by evaluators as a slider but is a curveball grip. He has the confidence to throw it in any count and can land it for strikes. It features plenty of movement and tons of swings and misses. Meyer also mixes in a quality 89-90 mph sinker and slider.
“My ability to throw my off-speed pitches is my biggest strength,” Meyer said. “I have an upper-90s fastball, and that’s also a good pitch with run. But you can’t be a pitcher who gets to the next level without the off-speed pitches. I have developed a really good curveball and a decent sinker. My off-speed pitches have really helped me and are my biggest strength right now.”
Attending and pitching at Combine Academy this year has helped Meyer grow as a pitcher. He has focused on improving his control and command of his pitches while improving his mechanics. This spring, Meyer wants to do a better job attacking the strike zone and limiting the number of free passes he issues.
“I want to see improvement on my strike percentage,” Meyer said. “I’d like to see my strike percentage at 70% by the end of the season. My main focus is pounding the zone and attacking hitters. I’ve done a pretty decent job of doing that this year, but at times, I go back to my old mechanics. I need to keep my same mechanics and arm path and attack the zone.”
Besides being a well-regarded draft prospect, Meyer is a West Virginia commit. He committed to West Virginia in October due to his connection with the coaches and the program’s history of developing talent for the pro ranks, including All-Star pitcher Alek Manoah in 2019. He also likes the university’s atmosphere and location.
“It just came down to where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life,” Meyer said. “It came down to the atmosphere, coaches, the people, the campus, distance from home. The coaches at West Virginia welcomed me in and kept it to me straight. They have the tools to perform and want to help me improve. The coaches won me over.”
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Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for eight years. He has interviewed 433 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
