Matt Meyer
Former LHP AAA Angles, Indians
1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?
I have always thrown from a low 3/4 arm slot but in 2009 I started messing around with an even lower arm slot during catch before a game. I showed my pitching coach with the Akron Aeros and he told me to try it in a game. I threw that night from that lower angle and have been doing both in games since then. There was really no reason that I started throwing down there just felt like the ball came out well and liked the different angle because it is one the hitters don't see that often.
2. What are some of the advantages you had from your arm angle?
I think the biggest advantage from a lower arm slot is that hitters don't see it that often so they don't have a whole lot of at bats and experience. I also had a lot of sink from that lower arm slow so I was able to induce a lot of ground balls.
3. If you didn't drop down, do you think you would have had the same success?
I made it to AA with my regular low 3/4 arm slot, but dropping lower and mixing the 2 arm angles gave me a second chance in baseball. It allowed me to get signed out of Independent ball with the LA Angels and also helped me get invited to 2 big league camps with the Angels.
4. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?
I think if someone wanted to try throwing from a lower arm angle that they should exhaust all other options for pitching. I think that for a lot of guys dropping down low is a sort of last resort for guys that didn't have success throwing over the top. Also, when you do drop down you have to commit to that arm angle because it isn't an easy motion to repeat.
5. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?
I didn't have great mechanics so I am the last guy that should be talking about, the only thing I can really say about myself is that I was best when I stayed through each pitch and didn't get too rotational from left to right.
6. What pitches do you throw?
I threw a majority of 4-seam fastballs from both angles usually in the upper 80's to low 90's. My low 3/4 arm slot fastball had more run and my lower arm slot had a lot of sink. My low 3/4 slider was my out pitch, and my lower arm slot slider was more of a Frisbee that I would throw early in counts. I had a change-up from both arms slots but would rarely throw it.
7. How do you pitch to lefties/righties?
I was used mostly against lefties because my arm slot was unique so I would try to run fastballs in on their hands from both angles, and if I could get the count to 0-2 or 1-2 I could go for the punch out with my slider over the top. For righties I would usually try to pound away and get them to roll over on a ground ball early, but if I could get them in a hole I would try to finish them with a backfoot slider from my low 3/4 slot.
8. Lastly what is your favorite part about pitching from down there?
I loved having options on the mound. I could throw 6 different pitches in one at bat so it gave me confidence if a hitter was on one pitch I would have other weapons I could use against them. At times during my career I felt like I could throw all fastballs from that lower arm slot and even though the hitter knew it was coming they still could only manage a weak ground ball.