‘Our time will come’: Wind Surge ‘thrilled’ about Marlins’ draft crop as wait continues
Wichita is one of only three U.S. cities going through what its minor-league baseball team has endured.
The Fredricksburg Nationals in Virginia and Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in North Carolina were the only other MiLB teams set to make 2020 their inaugural season in a new city and a new ballpark. But in the face of a potentially lost season, the Wichita Wind Surge have received some good long-term news.
With the third pick in the 2020 MLB draft, the Miami Marlins selected Max Meyer, a pitcher from the University of Minnesota.
“Meyer owns the best slider in the 2020 draft, a wipeout 87-91 mph offering with which he can add and subtract depth,” according to MLB.com’s scouting report. “His four-seam fastball is a weapon as well, parking at 93-97 mph this spring, hitting 98 in the ninth inning of one start and maxing out at 100.”
Meyer was the Marlins’ top selection in the draft, and as Miami’s Triple-A affiliate, the Wind Surge were “thrilled” to see his name come off the board.
“He’s just an elite talent,” Wind Surge owner Lou Schwechheimer said. “I’ve seen some experts saying he could step into a major-league roster right now or maybe even someday become a closer.”
Meyer was one of six Marlins draft picks this month. Miami didn’t select any position players in the draft, instead looking to bolster pitching in what’s already considered one of the best minor-league systems in the game.
“The name of the game at the big league level is pitching,” Schwechheimer said. “To have an incredible emphasis on quality arms is exciting for everybody, adding to the great pitching that was already scheduled to be in Wichita in April.”
Miami Marlins’ 2020 MLB Draft picks
| Player | Position | From | Round | Pick | Throws |
| Max Meyer | Pitcher | Minnesota | 1 | 3 | Right |
| Daxton Fulton | Pitcher | Mustang HS (OK) | 2 | 40 | Left |
| Kyle Nicolas | Pitcher | Ball State | 2 | 60 | Right |
| Zach McCambley | Pitcher | Coastal Carolina | 3 | 75 | Right |
| Jake Eder | Pitcher | Vanderbilt | 4 | 104 | Left |
| Kyle Hurt | Pitcher | USC | 5 | 134 | Right |
Although the new talent is exciting, the question on many Wichita baseball fans’ minds isn’t, “How will these new players help in 2020?” but, “Will we even have baseball in 2020?”
Because of COVID-19 and the suspension of the MLB and MiLB seasons, negotiations are ongoing. Schwechheimer said meetings are happening biweekly to find a resolution.
“Minor-league baseball is in a unique position,” Schwechheimer said. “We have 160 teams spread out throughout the entire country. We in Wichita may have different social-distancing guidelines than teams in California. We’ll take our direction and guidance from Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball and the Pacific Coast League at the appropriate time.
Hopefully in July, the team will get clearance to fully reopen Riverfront Stadium, Schwechheimer said. “We’re optimistic, but at the same time, we’re always going to put the health and safety and well being of those entrusted in our care first.”
On Wednesday, MLB proposed a 60-game season with fully prorated salaries. Of course, if the MLB Players Association accepts the offer, that does not necessarily mean minor-league baseball would return, too. Schwechheimer said he cannot speculate as to when Riverfront Stadium might finally play host to a much-anticipated opener.
“COVID-19 has changed the sports world for all of us,” he said. “But in time, we’ll all be able to see the fruits of our labor, and we will have a chance to celebrate these young players.
“Our time will come.”
This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 1:32 PM.