The Houston Astros drafted Jonathan Meyer with the 111th overall pick in the supplemental portion of the third round of the 2009 draft. The fourth high school player selected on the first day of the draft by Houston, the 18-year old is from Simi Valley High School in Simi Valley, California. Here's some video of Meyer in high school.
Meyer played shortstop in high school, but also caught games and was the team's closer. His defense is good, but profiles more as a third baseman as he progresses, which is why the Astros listed him as such when they drafted him. As I mentioned in the profile on Mier, the Houston farm system is pretty bare when it comes to infielders and third base is no exception. The only real prospect at the position is Chris Johnson and he's 24 and in Triple-A. Jhon Florentino, Marco Cabral and Ebert Rosario have serious flaws (no power, too old or no plate discipline) to view them as good prospects. Meyer changes that immediately.
His MLB.com scouting report shows some video of him at shortstop, but it's not really big enough to see well to form opinions. His bat raises some question marks on some scouting reports, but if he's solid defensively, I think the team will live with just getting average out of him. Plus, if he can add some strength to his 6-foot-1, 200 pound frame, he'll hit for more power than he does now. His arm is good enough to throw a 90 MPH fastball, so it should play well at the hot corner.
Meyer also scores high in the makeup department, something he showcases in this Q&A with Baseball Beginnings and with his switch to switch-hitting this spring. He's newly converted to switch hitting, so it may take him a while to find his groove. Just like Lance Berkman, he's more comfortable from his natural side (the right) than his new side, with a longer swing from the left side of the plate. The Astros couldn't get their third round pick signed last season, so we'll see if they can get Meyer in the fold as he's currently committed to Cal State-Fullerton.
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