Anthony Meo
| IP | 201 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.836 |
| WHIP | 1.532 |
| BB/9 | 5.284 |
| SO/9 | 8.731 |
- Full name Anthony Steven Meo
- Born 02/19/1990 in Cranston, RI
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Coastal Carolina
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Drafted in the 2nd round (63rd overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011 (signed for $625,000).
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Meo was part of a stacked 2008 prep class in Connecticut and Rhode Island, a group that included Vanderbilt's Jason Esposito and UConn stars Matt Barnes and George Springer. Meo threw 91-92 mph in high school but has bumped his fastball up to 96 mph in college, regularly sitting in the 93-94 range. He's quick-armed and live-bodied at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, with a lean frame that hasn't added much weight over the years. His curveball is quick and short with downer break, and he's starting to harness the command of both pitches. Meo's changeup remains "underdeveloped," as one scout put it, and while his delivery isn't maximum effort, it's not smooth either. He throws strikes but doesn't locate enough to have the command clubs look for in starters. He should go out in the first two rounds as a starter but likely will wind up as a reliever.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Meo was one of many college power arms that the Diamondbacks picked early in the 2011 draft, going in the second round after a strong junior season at Coastal Carolina. Like supplemental first-rounder Andrew Chafin, Meo was challenged with an assignment to high Class A in his first full pro season, and he responded well, tying for the California League lead with 153 strikeouts. Meo's best pitch is a 90-94 mph fastball and he shows the ability to maintain his velocity deep into his starts. His slider can be nasty at times, and he's developing a feel for a changeup. Meo pitches with a lot of effort, with a wrap in his arm action, and struggles repeating his delivery, so he probably profiles better in the bullpen, where his fastball and slider would play up. He could potentially be a late-inning reliever because of the good movement on his two-seam fastball. Meo will stay in the rotation for now, likely moving up to Double-A in 2013. -
The highest-drafted pitcher in Coastal Carolina history--and third-highest draftee ever, behind big leaguers Kirt Manwaring and Mickey Brantley--Meo enhanced his already-strong stock with the final two outings of his college career. He threw the first no-hitter in Big South Conference tournament history, striking out nine in as many innings against Radford, then beat Connecticut and eventual Red Sox first-rounder Matt Barnes in the NCAA regionals. The Diamondbacks stocked up on power arms in the 2011 draft and were delighted to get Meo in the second round, where they signed him at the Aug. 15 deadline for a slightly above-slot $625,000. His best pitch is a 91-98 mph fastball. He also has a solid changeup and a slider that lacks consistency but plays nicely off his fastball. Meo employs a unique, deceptive delivery that makes it hard for righthanders to pick up the ball. He throws with a lot of effort, but his pitches get on the batter quickly and he has no problem throwing strikes. Some scouts believe his mechanics will fit better in a relief role. The Diamondbacks will develop Meo as a starter with No. 3 upside, but he also has the potential to be a closer. If they want to challenge him, he could see high Class A at some point during his first full pro season.
