NAME: Noble Meyer
SCHOOL: Jesuit (HS)
POSITION: RHP
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-5/185 pounds
B/T: R/R
D.O.B.: 1/10/2005
PREVIOUSLY DRAFTED: Never
Scouting Report
With the White Sox seemingly locked in on the hitter side of the draft, Meyer could be the one arm that sways them away from that plan at this point. Generally regarded as the top prep arm, Meyer has frontline starter projection with the ability to continue developing as he’s got plenty of room to grow.
Meyer is likely going to be picked around the top-10 range due to his upside and already polished arm at just 18 years old with a 6’5 frame that can easily add strength still. He’s touched 100mph already at times in his senior year after reaching 98mph on the showcase circuit last summer.
He should be able to get that velocity consistently at that mark on a regular basis as he develops in the minor leagues. Furthermore, the 2-seam fastball plays well with riding arm side motion which makes it one of the best fastballs in the draft.
Meyer pairs his excellent fastball with a sharp lateral slider and a solid changeup that’s still working on. The slider has the making of a strikeout pitch that he can overthrow at times and leave too high but has the makings of a devasting secondary offering. The changeup moves well and should be a reliable third option due to his arm action that remains the same with each offering.
He’s likely going to need to fill out over the first few years of his growth to avoid potential injury issues due to his lean body and whippy arm. That shouldn’t be an issue given his young age and the upside makes up for potential concerns. Meyer is one of the most projectable arms in the draft and could viably be considered the second-best in terms of potential behind Paul Skenes.
Mechanics shouldn’t be an issue for Meyer and the development of his slider and changeup should come with time and focus on them. There’s a lot to dream on given his frame and proven 60-grade fastball with more in the tank.
Would the White Sox Draft Him?
The White Sox pitching rotation is looking more worrisome right now than we had hoped for a year or two ago. Some young pitchers at the Single-A and High-A levels have broken out lately, but the system could use more rotation upside aside from Noah Schultz.
Furthermore, selecting Meyer would feel like more of a future-driven decision for a team that seemingly can’t decide what direction to go in right now. Meyer is one of the youngest potential first-round picks and would take time to reach the big league rotation, but the upside he provides is worth it. Under Mike Shirley, the White Sox have shown that they aren’t afraid to select high school pitchers. They’ve taken at least one in four straight drafts.
Another reason for drafting Meyer is the fact that he’s widely considered a top-12 talent and the White Sox might just not be able to pass on him at the 15th pick. He would be an over-slot signing at the White Sox pick, but getting the best prep arm in the draft at the 15th pick is a rare opportunity the team may have to pounce on in the unlikely scenario that he falls.
Mock Outcomes
Realistically, Meyer will likely not be on the board for the White Sox given how much his stock has risen in recent months. The most recent MLB Pipeline mock by Jim Callis has Meyer going 8th to the Royals. Callis even cited that the Twins, who hold the 5th pick, are high on Meyer as well. Meanwhile, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.Com has Meyer landing with the Reds at the 7th overall pick in his May mock. In his initial mock draft, Keith Law of The Athletic projected the Oregon prep to the White Sox with the 15th overall pick. In his latest attempt however, Law sent him to the Miami Marlins at #10 overall.
ESPN’s first mock by Kiley McDaniel projects Meyer to the crosstown Cubs at the 13th pick. Joe Doyle of Future Stars Series also had Meyer falling to the Cubs at the 13th pick in his mock from last week. This is one of the lowest landing spots right now and seems like it could be the floor for him. Carlos Collazo of Baseball America projected the prep to the Kansas City Royals at #8 overall and noted that he has interest throughout the top ten.
Meyer is projected to be taken before the White Sox in almost every mock so he’s not someone that fans should necessarily be hopeful about. He would seem to be in serious consideration though if he falls below some of the top college arms.
Right handed high schoolers tend not to work out in the draft… Look at Kelley and the 2 other high schoolers that were given 1st round money. I would be happy with him but I still want a bat (who can play defense, not a corner infielder or outfielder please that will become another DH) in the 1st round then the next 4 highest bonuses to pitchers!