Gophers pitcher Max Meyer drafted No. 3 overall in the MLB Draft; highest draft spot for U of M player since Molitor in 1977

University of Minnesota’s Max Meyer has been selected as the number three pick to the Miami Marlins in the MLB Draft on Wednesday night.

Meyer is the first Gopher to be drafted that high since Paul Molitor was selected in 1977 as the third overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Here is some of what Woodbury native Max Meyer said in his Zoom chat with the media tonight. Pending a physical, he’ll sign for a bonus of around $7M as the 3rd overall pick to the Miami Marlins. We’ll have more on Channel 5 with @JoeSchmitKSTP at 10:20p. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/ktlEXQZezl

— KSTPSports (@KSTPSports) June 11, 2020

"I’m at a loss for words. I have been dreaming of this day ever since I was a little kid, and for my dreams to come true today, this is the greatest day of my life," said Meyer in a Zoom call with reporters. "There are so many people to thank that have been pushing me to be the best player and person I can be: family, coaches and all of my teammates throughout the years. I wouldn’t be here today without them. I’m going to remember this day for the rest of my life. I could not be more excited to be joining the Miami Marlins organization and look forward to beginning the next chapter of my career."

The six-foot, 185-pound Woodbury-native was a preseason All-American last season, and posted a team-low 1.95 ERA and a team-high 46 strikeouts across 27 2/3 innings pitched in 2020, according to the Gophers athletics website.

Twins scouting director Sean Johnson told our Darren ‘Doogie’ Wolfson that Meyer’s slider is one of the best off-speed pitches he’s ever evaluated in his 15+ years.