Elite start gets Meyer, Eder to Futures Game

The destination is the Majors for Marlins prospects Max Meyer and Jake Eder, and they will get a taste on Sunday afternoon at the 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Denver. The 22nd installment will pit National League and American League Minor Leaguers in a seven-inning showcase of baseball's future stars.

Meyer (MLB Pipeline's No. 20 overall prospect) and Eder (Miami's No. 22 prospect) have been on the fast track since the Marlins selected them in the first and fourth rounds of last year's MLB Draft, respectively. Without a Minor League season, it was an atypical start to their professional careers. After signing, Meyer spent time at the alternate training site. Both participated in the fall instructional league. Neither let it get in the way of their development.

With invitations to big league camp this spring, Meyer and Eder soaked in the opportunity despite not appearing in a Grapefruit League game. One piece of advice in particular stuck with Meyer, as Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara spoke from personal experience about the importance of not being too fine with one's stuff.

"The main thing is go out there and attack," said Meyer, whom Miami chose No. 3 overall. "You don't need to pitch around these guys, don't be scared of anyone, just always stay on the attack, because once you pitch scared or trying to be too perfect with stuff, that's when you walk guys. That's when you end up having to throw middle-middle in a 2-0 count, and that's when you're going to get hit, so just staying on the attack and trusting your stuff."

The organization decided to test the 22-year-olds, having them open at the Double-A level. They have lived up to their billing and exceeded expectations at the same time. Eder, who wasn't originally named to the Futures Game roster, entered Wednesday leading the Double-A South in ERA (1.03), opponent's batting average (.151) and WHIP (0.91) while ranking second in strikeouts (76). Meyer, meanwhile, is second in ERA (1.67), fourth in opponent's batting average (.198), eighth in WHIP (1.19) and ninth in strikeouts (54).

Much of Eder's growth stems from his command and pitchability. Meyer continues to refine his delivery. His fastball and changeup have come as advertised, but the reintroduction of a plus changeup has set him apart.

"What they've done this year in their first whole professional season -- I know we've talked about it a little bit in the past -- it's just truly incredible," said Geoff DeGroot, Marlins director of Minor League operations. "You don't see guys just kind of step into professional baseball and dominate the Double-A level through two months of the season like they've done. A lot easier said than done.

"Those guys have worked incredibly hard, and getting to watch them on consecutive days in the same rotation always makes going to Pensacola pretty fun. They're both competitive, they work incredibly hard, and they deserve all the credit and all the success they've had up to this point."

The pair live together in Pensacola, but the end goal is to perform at the Major League level in Miami. Not lacking in confidence, both see it as a matter of when -- not if. The All-Star Futures Game will be a chance for Meyer and Eder to step on the big stage and face the closest thing to MLB competition until they get there. They are the first pitchers drafted by the Marlins to participate since José Fernández in 2012.

Coors Field won't be the first time Meyer and Eder have thrown off a big league mound. Meyer, who will reunite with USA Baseball teammates Adley Rutschman, Reid Detmers and Austin Martin, pitched at Target Field in Minnesota and T-Mobile Park in Seattle as part of the Collegiate National Team. Eder appeared in the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field as a South Florida prep star.

"It doesn't matter what I've shown, it just matters what I think," Eder said. "From before I even got to instructs, I said, 'Yeah, I'm a big leaguer now, I just haven't got up yet.'"