Draft Day Rundown: Day 1 - Jonathan Meyer

With the 111th pick of the draft, the Astros selected Jonathan Meyer from Simi Valley HS (CA).

MLB.com: Meyer has a solid approach, with strong and quick hands and wrists that produce pretty good bat speed. He's learning to switch-hit and he's stronger from the right side, with a longer swing and less consistency left-handed. Can apply force to his swing, but he doesn't have a ton of strength, so he's got well below-average power, especially using wood. He's a little slow out of the box; better runner once underway. Without great foot speed, he's a solid baserunner who will even pick spots to steal bases now and then. Has a plus arm and fires bullets across the diamond. He's been up to 93 mph off the mound. He's an above-average defender with good hands. Range is just average, but he's got good instincts on the infield. Good first step allows him to get to balls on both sides. That said, he's likely a third baseman as an infielder. Meyer has a strong, muscular frame with broad shoulders and a strong, durable lower half. Strengths: Great makeup and work ethic, excellent instincts. Quick bat with some power. Plus arm strength that plays well in the infield or behind the plate. Doesn't profile as a shortstop, and while versatility is good, he doesn't have a pure position.

Baseball America's Dave Perkin: As a shortstop, Meyer helped lead the Pioneers to the CIFSouthern Section Division I baseball championship in 2008. Perkin, however, believes Meyer, who's listed at 6-foot-1, is more suited for third base, catcher or even pitcher. The scout also said Meyer may need to drop his switch-hitting approach and bat exclusively from the right side, his natural batting stance. "I'd written about him earlier in the year that when he takes batting practice he reaches the warning track lefthanded and the parking lot right-handed," Perkin said. Meyer could end up attending Cal State Fullerton. Perkin projects Meyer as a possible fourth-to-sixth-round choice.

Baseball Beginnings: Versatile switch-hitting infielder with above-average arm offers potential to hit enough and offers enough flexibility to add value at ML level. Will never be the most toolsy player but will bring a little bit of everything but speed and pure power. Could be average ML starter or top-of-the-line bench player. Reminds me of Willie Bloomquist.

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