RHP Noble Meyer (Jesuit HS, OR), an Oregon recruit, has emerged as the top right-handed arm in the class. Featured prominently in Arms Race: Pacific Northwest from last spring, the wiry, long-limbed 6-foot-5, 200-pounder has steadily matured on the mound as the pure stuff has made an electric leap. Now equipped with a fastball that reaches into the upper 90s along with feel for a potential wipeout slider with 3000+ rpm and a faded changeup, Meyer’s confidence has grown to new heights, and there is a strong chance that he is ultimately the first pitcher taken off the board next summer. Hailing from the same high school as 2020 Phillies 1st Round Pick, RHP Mick Abel, Meyer might have an even higher ceiling than what the future big leaguer showed at this age.

Meyer was dominant while hardly breaking a sweat in his four innings of work that needed just 50 pitches (76% strikes). The long-limbed, 6-foot-4, 185-pounder looks noticeably stronger coming out of the winter, but still holds considerable projection on the frame. The arm works free and loose through a continuous stroke that delivers out of a near ¾ slot. Working 89-92 throughout with upwards of 2460 RPM on the fastball, there was ride and run present to the bottom of the zone. This look saw more control over command of the fastball as he was routinely in the zone, but seemed to click better late in the game with confidence to repeat to the glove side. That glove side fastball allowed a future plus-slider to play as an unhittable pitch in this look. Routinely in the 2744-2814 rpm range, he manipulated the shape at times with a short, late break when thrown firmer (up to 86 mph), and more frisbee-sweep at 79 mph. The pitch tunneled the fastball with late separation, and left little chance for opposing hitter to make contact. Previous looks have also shown a quality changeup from the potential frontline starter, but the pitch was not needed in this outing. The low effort seen from the big right-hander promises even more velocity to come as the spring moves on, and while this was a stellar outing for the junior, it is scary to think that he will be even better by the end of the year.

Meyer represented the Pacific Northwest at the PBR Future Games in the summer of 2020 and came away as one of the squad’s top talents, eventually committing to Oregon. He’s about as projectable as a high school prep pitching prospect can be, standing at a well-proportioned 6-foot-4, 195-pounds. Meyer impressed at this year’s Area Code Games, pumping his fastball up to 90 mph and flashing a quality three-pitch mix. He came out of the gates with intent early, striking out three batters in his first inning of work.