Alex Meyer (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

|image= Alex Meyer pitching for the Los Angeles Angels in 2016 (Cropped).jpg

|width= 250

|caption= Meyer pitching for the Los Angeles Angels in 2016

|name= Alex Meyer

|position= Pitcher

|team=

|number= 23

|bats= Right

|throws= Right

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1990|1|3}}

|birth_place=Greensburg, Indiana, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=June 26

|debutyear=2015

|debutteam=Minnesota Twins

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=July 19

|finalyear=2017

|finalteam=Los Angeles Angels

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record|

|stat1value=5–8

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=4.63

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=107

|teams=

Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2016}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2017}})

}}

Alex John Meyer (born January 3, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats and has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Angels.

He officially announced his retirement from baseball on June 25, 2019, due to injuries. He last played for the Angels in 2017.

Amateur career

Meyer attended Greensburg High School in Greensburg, Indiana, and played for his high school's baseball team. In 2008, his senior year, Meyer had an 8–0 win–loss record, a 0.95 earned run average (ERA), and 108 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched. Meyer was named a high school All-American, Indiana's Mr. Baseball, and the Indiana Player of the Year by Gatorade and Louisville Slugger in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/news/IN/Greensburgs-Alex-Meyer-is-Live-Wire-Pitching-Prospect-8346072195|title=Prep Baseball Report > Indiana > News|work=prepbaseballreport.com|access-date=November 29, 2014}}

The Boston Red Sox selected Meyer in the 20th round of the 2008 MLB Draft. Despite being reportedly offered as much as $2.2 million as a signing bonus, Meyer chose not to sign with the Red Sox so that he could follow through on his commitment to attend the University of Kentucky to play college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats baseball team.{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2011/05/13/1739207_kentucky-baseballs-meyer-commands.html?rh=1|title=Kentucky baseball's Meyer commands attention in what could be his final start at home|work=kentucky.com|access-date=November 29, 2014}} In 2011, his junior year, Meyer had a 7–5 win–loss record with a 2.94 ERA, and led the Southeastern Conference with 110 strikeouts.

Professional career

=Washington Nationals=

The Washington Nationals selected Meyer in the first round, with the 23rd overall selection, of the 2011 MLB Draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2011/06/07/1766058/nationals-take-kentuckys-meyer.html|title=Lexington, KY local and state news by the Lexington Herald-Leader - Kentucky.com|work=kentucky.com|access-date=November 29, 2014}} Before the 2012 season, MLB.com rated Meyer as the 83rd best prospect in baseball.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp?tcid=mm_mlb_news |title=2012 Prospect Watch | MLB.com: Prospects |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date=June 19, 2012 |access-date=November 29, 2012}} He pitched for the Hagerstown Suns of the Class A South Atlantic League in 2012, and was named to appear in the All-Star Futures Game at midseason.{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Fiammetta|url=http://m.nationals.mlb.com/news/article/33684760/|title=Meyer to represent Nationals at Futures Game|work=MLB.com|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=June 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411141802/http://m.nationals.mlb.com/news/article/33684760|archive-date=April 11, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

=Minnesota Twins=

After the 2012 season, the Nationals traded Meyer to the Minnesota Twins for Denard Span.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121129&content_id=40463290&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Nationals acquire Denard Span from Twins for Minor Leaguer Alex Meyer |work=MLB.com|date=June 19, 2012 |access-date=November 29, 2012}} The Twins invited Meyer to spring training in 2013.{{cite web|last=Wild |first=Danny |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-43719344 |title=Meyer ready for new role with Twins |work=Minor League Baseball |date=March 31, 2013 |access-date=November 22, 2013}} After the 2013 season, he participated in the Arizona Fall League.{{cite web|last=Seiner |first=Jake |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-63275156 |title=Meyer thrives despite lack of fastball | MiLB.com News |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=October 23, 2013 |access-date=November 22, 2013}} The Twins also invited Meyer to spring training in 2014.{{cite web|last=Berardino |first=Mike |url=http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_24877862/twins-spring-invitees-byron-buxton-miguel-sano-alex |title=Twins' spring invitees: Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, Alex Meyer |work=Pioneer Press |date=January 9, 2014 |access-date=January 10, 2014}} Before the 2014 season, Baseball America ranked Meyer as the 45th best prospect in baseball.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2014-baseball-america-top-100-prospects-free/|title=2014 Baseball America Top 100 Prospects: The 25th Edition|work=BaseballAmerica.com|access-date=November 29, 2014}} Pitching for the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA International League in 2014, Meyer was named to the All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/north/story/twins-pitching-prospect-meyer-named-to-replace-injured-may-for-futures-game-070714|title=Minnesota Twins prospect Alex Meyer named to replace injured Trevor May for Futures Game|author=Fox Sports|work=FOX Sports|date=July 7, 2014|access-date=November 29, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_26141796/minnesota-twins-wait-alex-meyer-slow-down|title=Minnesota Twins wait for Alex Meyer to slow down|work=Pioneer Press|date=July 12, 2014|access-date=November 29, 2014}}

Meyer began the 2015 season with Rochester. After struggling with a 7.09 ERA in his first eight starts, Meyer began working as a relief pitcher.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2015/05/22/twinsights-alex-meyer-moves-to-the-rochester-bullpen/|title=Updated Twinsights: Alex Meyer moves to the Rochester bullpen|work=TwinCities.com|access-date=June 25, 2015}} He pitched to a 0.53 ERA with 20 strikeouts and six walks in 17 innings. The Twins promoted Meyer to the major leagues on June 25.{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/25/twins-call-up-prospect-alex-meyer-after-switch-to-bullpen/|title=Twins call up prospect Alex Meyer after switch to bullpen – HardballTalk|work=nbcsports.com|date=June 25, 2015|access-date=June 25, 2015}} He pitched in two games for the Twins, in which he allowed five runs, including three home runs, in {{frac|2|2|3}} innings. The Twins demoted Meyer to Rochester, where he pitched to a 7.65 ERA in the next 20 innings he pitched, followed by {{frac|17|2|3}} innings pitched without allowing a run to end the season.

In 2016, the Twins decided to send Meyer to Rochester to begin the season as a starting pitcher.{{cite web|url=http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/168370742/twins-prospect-alex-meyer-starter-at-triple-a?topicid=151437456|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406030524/http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/168370742/twins-prospect-alex-meyer-starter-at-triple-a?topicid=151437456|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 6, 2016|title=Meyer to begin Triple-A season as starter: Twins' No. 12 prospect spent most of '15 as reliever|work=MLB.com|first=Rhett|last=Bollinger|date=March 23, 2016|access-date=March 23, 2016}} The Twins promoted Meyer to the major leagues on April 25,{{cite web|url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/04/25/minnesota-twins-byron-buxton-alex-meyer/|title=Minnesota Twins set to promote Alex Meyer|work=Pioneer Press|date=April 25, 2016|access-date=August 2, 2016}} but optioned him back to Rochester on May 3, after making two appearances for Minnesota.{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/minnesota-twins-alex-meyer-triple-a-rochester-j-r-graham-050416|title=Twins option Meyer to Triple-A, set to recall Graham|date=May 4, 2016}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On August 1, 2016, the Twins traded Meyer and Ricky Nolasco plus cash for Angels pitchers Hector Santiago and Alan Busenitz.{{cite news | url=http://www.startribune.com/twins-trade-fernando-abad-to-red-sox-for-minor-league-pitcher/388852401/ | title=Twins trade Ricky Nolasco and Alex Meyer to Angels for Hector Santiago | newspaper=Star Tribune | date=August 1, 2016 | access-date=August 2, 2016 | author=Miller, Phil}}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2016-08-01/twins-send-nolasco-meyer-to-angels-in-swap-for-santiago | title=Twins send Nolasco, Meyer to Angels in swap for Santiago | magazine=US News | date=August 1, 2016 | access-date=August 2, 2016 | author=Campbell, Dave}} Meyer was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on April 22, 2017.

On September 11, 2017, Angels general manager Billy Eppler announced that Meyer would undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Meyer was on the disabled list since the middle of July.{{cite news | last=Fletcher | first=Jeff | url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/09/11/angels-alex-meyer-to-miss-2018-season-andrew-heaney-is-day-to-day/ | title=Angels' Alex Meyer to miss 2018 season; Andrew Heaney is day to day | newspaper=The Orange County Register | date=September 11, 2017 | access-date=September 16, 2017}} In 13 starts with the Angels, Meyer went 4-5, with a 3.74 ERA, while striking out 75 batters. He was designated for assignment on November 22, 2018 after missing the entire 2018 season. In late December 2018, he re-signed with the Angels to a minor league deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/angels-sign-alex-meyer-to-minors-contract.html|title=Angels Sign Alex Meyer To Minors Contract|last=Polishuk|first=Mark|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 30, 2018|access-date=December 30, 2018}} Meyer retired from professional baseball on June 25, 2019, citing multiple surgeries and countless hours of rehab marking the end of the road.{{cite news|author=|url=https://www.wymt.com/content/sports/Former-Wildcat-Alex-Meyer-announces-retirement--511806392.html|title=Former Wildcat Alex Meyer announces retirement|date=June 26, 2019|website=WYMT-TV|access-date=July 13, 2021}}

Personal

During the baseball offseason, Meyer served as a substitute teacher at Greensburg High School. He is currently the varsity baseball coach for the Greensburg Pirates. {{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/twins/2013/12/25/alex-meyer-minnesota-pitching-prospect-teacher-offseason/4199115/ |title=Top Twins pitching prospect Alex Meyer subs for $63/day |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=December 25, 2013 |access-date=January 10, 2014}}

Meyer’s cousin, Bryan Hoeing, plays in MLB for the Miami Marlins.{{cite web | url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/preps/2013/08/15/high-school-recruiting-insider-batesville-basketball-standout-hoeing-a-big-time-baseball-prospect/2660485 | title=High School Recruiting Insider: Batesville basketball standout Hoeing a big-time baseball prospect }}