Marlins' Max Meyer discovers winning breaking-ball formula, remains unbeaten

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Max Meyer discovered a winning formula.

A fastball pitcher throughout his professional career, Meyer remained a top prospect in the Marlins system since he was drafted No. 3 overall in 2020, despite health issues and a dependence on a mid-level four-seam fastball.

Meyer missed most of 2022 and all of '23 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He endured separate hip injuries the past two seasons.

Meyer changed during his time on the sidelines.

With a change in pitching philosophy, Meyer ditched his mid-90s fastball and slider as his two primary offerings for a sweeper/slider combination.

With the change, Meyer, who earned the win during Saturday's 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants at loanDepot park, improved to 8-0.

Marlins' Max Meyer alters fastball philosophy for more spin

With the sweeper as his new primary pitch, Meyer earned his 100th career strikeout, getting Giants catcher Eric Haase to whiff on a 91-mph slider at the bottom of the strike zone.

The increase in breaking balls continues to pay dividends.

With pitch calls originating from the bench, the Marlins' staff entered the weekend releasing 39.1 percent of breaking pitches this season. It's the second-highest total since pitch tracking started in 2008:

Team, Percent of breaking pitches, Season

• Minnesota Twins, 41.1. 2020
• Marlins, 39.1, 2026
• St. Louis Cardinals, 39.1, 2025
• Atlanta Braves, 39.0, 2025

In 2025, Meyer started his deliveries with his shoulders squared to the batter and threw with about a 6-foot-3 extension and 37-degree arm angle. This season, the 27-year-old right-hander is more off-set with a 6-0 extension and 42-degree arm angle.

By getting on top of his pitches more, he continues to generate more spin, creating his new winning formula by increasing his breaking ball usage by 5.2 percent.

Here are pitchers with the biggest increase in throwing breaking balls this season: 

Player, 2026 usage, Percent increase

• John King, 45.3, +25.4
• Cade Gibson, 70.3, +18.5
• Tyler Zuber, 59.6, +9.4
• Meyer, 54.5, +5.2
• Sandy Alcantara, 20.9, +3.8

By starting 8-0, Meyer, who struck out seven in five innings Saturday, became the second pitcher in franchise history to open a season with eight consecutive wins. Livan Hernandez started 9-0 in 1997.

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