Austin Meadows

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #2 prospect in 2018
  Meadows was considered one of the best high school bats in the 2013 draft. The Pirates took him No. 9 overall and signed him away from a Clemson commitment for $3,029,600. Meadows backed up his reputation all the way through Double-A, but he has struggled at Triple-A Indianapolis. He suffered through an injury-riddled 2017 season, playing just 81 games thanks to hamstring and oblique injuries. It's the third different season where hamstring injuries have hamstrung him. Throughout his career, Meadows has shown a smooth swing, good feel for the barrel and the strike zone, so his struggles at Triple-A don't worry the Pirates. They trust that Meadows will be a plus hitter who will develop consistent home run power, even if it doesn't come early in his major league career. He is a plus runner with solid outfield instincts. His arm is his weakest tool, but it's still adequate enough to play all three outfield spots. Meadows was widely expected to make his big league debut in 2017, but injuries prevented that from happening. There's a good chance he'll start 2018 at Indianapolis, especially if Andrew McCutchen remains with the team. Meadows has a chance of finally breaking through if he can stay healthy.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #1 prospect in 2017
  The Pirates selected Meadows with the first of two first-round picks in the 2013 draft, choosing him ninth overall with the compensation pick the club received for failing to sign first-rounder Mark Appel in 2012. Meadows battled back-and-forth with fellow Georgia prep outfielder Clint Frazier for the title of best high school bat in the 2013 draft class. Frazier ended up going before Meadows but both have lived up to expectations so far. Meadows signed for $3,029,600 to forgo a Clemson commitment. He comes from an athletic background as the son of two Division I athletes. His father played baseball and football at Morehead State, while his mother was a softball player at Georgia Southern and Georgia State. Meadows also played football in high school as a running back, linebacker and punter. He ranked among the top prospects in Double-A Eastern and Triple-A International leagues in 2016, a season in which he batted .266/.333/.536 with 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 87 games. Meadows has harnessed his athleticism to become a pure hitter with a short, smooth stroke who sprays line drives to all fields. He is in the process of unlocking his raw power as he continues to get comfortable turning on pitches and learning when it is wise to sell out for power. Meadows also shows a good eye at the plate, rarely chasing pitches out of the strike zone, and is willing to take a walk. Defensively, Meadows is a fluid outfielder with outstanding instincts that allow him to get good jumps in center field and run down fly balls from gap to gap. His arm is slightly above-average, which will allow him to play right field if needed--or left field at Pittsburgh's PNC Park, where the gap in left-center field stretches to 410 feet. Meadows also runs well and has the raw speed to become a top-flight baserunner, though he still needs to improve his leads and jumps on balls off the bat while running the bases. Meadows wins high marks for his makeup as a hard worker with a great attitude and leadership capabilities. One potential drawback is durability. He missed most of the 2014 season and a month in 2016 at Triple-A Indianapolis because of hamstring injuries. The 2016 injury caused him to miss the Futures Game in San Diego. Meadows is expected to begin 2017 back at Indianapolis, but it is not out of the question that he will make his major league debut before the all-star break or earlier if the Pirates decide to trade Andrew McCutchen. Some additional development time wouldn't hurt because Meadows did not get a full year of development in 2016, and injuries, which also included a fractured orbital bone sustained in spring training in a freak accident while playing catch, set him back slightly. He projects to be a star-caliber player and probably will follow in the footsteps of such outfielders as Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco, who have been developed by the Pirates over the last decade.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #2 prospect in 2016
  The Pirates selected Meadows ninth overall in the 2013 draft--using the pick they received as compensation for not signing Stanford righthander Mark Appel in 2012--and signed him for $3,029,600. Meadows' father played baseball at Morehead State, and his mother played softball at Georgia Southern and Georgia State. Limited to 45 games in 2014 because of hamstring problems, he stayed healthy in 2015 and received a six-game promotion to Double-A Altoona as a 20-year-old. Meadows has an advanced approach to the game, especially when it comes to hitting. He has strong knowledge of the strike zone, understands what pitches he can handle and rarely gives away at-bats. Meadows has a compact lefthanded swing and hits the ball to all fields. He figures to add at least moderate power once he learns to more properly load his swing by putting more weight on his back side. He has above-average speed and runs the bases well. He has good range in center field, though he needs to sharpen his angles to the ball. His arm grades as below-average. Meadows will begin the 2016 season at Altoona and likely end it at Triple-A Indianapolis. He figures to make his major league debut in the latter part of 2017, though he faces a logjam behind an outfield of Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #3 prospect in 2015
  The ninth overall pick in the 2013 draft, Meadows suffered a strained hamstring during in a baserunning drill early in 2014 spring training while in major league camp as a non-roster invitee. His rehab had many fits and starts before he finally appeared in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League on June 30. Meadows played well in 38 games at low Class A West Virginia to end the season and only once failed to record a hit in back-to-back games. Meadows is an excellent all-around hitter with power potential and advanced plate discipline for such a young player. He could end up as the rare player with above-average htting ability and above-average power, though the power is more projection at the moment. The Pirates project Meadows to hit in the middle of the order, but if his power doesn't blossom, he still possesses the on-base skills to bat at the top of the order. His speed will in play center field, though he's just an average defender because he has trouble with reads and routes. His below-average arm might eventually force him to left field. Meadows has played in just 93 games and logged 402 plate appearances since being drafted, so the Pirates won't rush him. He likely will split 2015 between West Virginia and high Class A Bradenton, with an eye toward reaching the majors in 2017. Did not play
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #4 prospect in 2014
  Meadows' father Kenny played baseball and football at Morehead State, and his mother Staci played softball at Georgia State. He entered the spring as one of nation's top high school players but had a fairly ordinary spring. The Pirates used the No. 9 overall pick--compensation for not signing 2012 first-rounder Mark Appel--on Meadows, signing him for $3.025 million. He dominated in his pro debut, hitting eight home runs (counting the playoffs) after hitting just four in the spring. Meadows draws comparisons to Reds right fielder Jay Bruce as a lefthanded hitter with power and athleticism. He repeats his easy, fluid swing, has present strength, good plate discipline and the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. He will need to add some loft to his swing but has started making that adjustment already. He is a good defensive center fielder with decent range and ran better after signing, flashing plus to double-plus times to first base. His arm is below-average, likely limiting him to left field in the future if he can't stay in center. Meadows' defensive home and power projection are the biggest keys to his development.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #6 prospect in 2013 draft
  Meadows entered the season as the No. 1 prep hitter in the country before being passed by his neighbor, Clint Frazier. It's not necessarily because Meadows had a bad spring, though. The physical lefthanded hitter has a 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, maintaining his athleticism even though he added 10-15 pounds since last summer. Scouts consider it good weight, so it may be a challenge for Meadows to remain in center field down the line. He has modest arm strength but is athletic enough to play all three outfield spots. Scouts have significant confidence in his bat, which projects to be formidable. Meadows has a smooth, easy swing that he repeats and he covers the plate well. His mature approach stands out at the prep level, and he has the leverage to hit for corner-profile power. Some scouts do question his loft power thanks to a flat bat path and a relative lack of looseness, and some others consider him a bit low-energy for their taste. Still, he combines athleticism with one of the safest bats in the draft and should go out in the first 10-12 selections.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #5 prospect in 2018
  Meadows saw time in the big leagues with the Pirates before they traded him to the Rays as part of the package for Chris Archer. From there, Meadows’ stock rose as his power production skyrocketed, headlined by 10 home runs in 27 games with Durham. “One of the best players in the minor leagues,” Norfolk manager Ron Johnson said. “The Indy ballpark took away some power.” Meadows’ lefthanded swing is smooth and natural, and he’s comfortable and effective against lefthanders and righthanders. Durham was content leaving him in center field and he is more than capable there, but his arm and speed are merely average and may make him a corner outfielder. Either way, Meadows was so well-rounded he projected to make an impact on both sides of the ball. Said Gwinnett manager Damon Berryhill: “I just feel like he’s a plus defender (and) he’s showing with the bat that he’s a consistent hitter.”
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #3 prospect in 2016
  Meadows made his mark on the EL in a short period of time, getting a late start because of an orbital fracture in his right eye. He also lost time late in the year with an oblique strain. Meadows showed excellent routes and jumps in playing a strong center field, while his above-average arm could allow him to play right field in the majors if needed. At the plate, he showed a simple lefthanded swing with little wasted effort. He also has an above-average idea of the strike zone with strong walk and strikeout rates in the EL. An above-average runner, Meadows projects as an everyday outfielder at the highest level with a chance to be an all-star.
• 
  Ranked International League #7 prospect in 2016
  Meadows suffered an orbital fracture in his right eye during spring training, which sidelined him for the first three weeks of the season. He got back on the field at Double-A Altoona and earned a promotion to Indianapolis in mid-June and a spot in the Futures Game. He hit just .214 with a high strikeout rate after joining Indianapolis, in part due to a hamstring injury that cost him nearly another month of action. When Meadows is healthy he shows the tools that make him an elite prospect, even as he adjusts to older competition. He has a smooth swing and consistently makes hard contact. He is learning how to turn his raw power into production, while still using the whole field to hit. Meadows is an above-average runner who improved his reads off the bat this season. He has the tools to handle center field, though he should hit enough to profile in left field, where his average arm would play.
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #3 prospect in 2015
  Meadows missed much of 2014 with hamstring problems, so the fact that he stayed healthy and logged 121 games at Bradenton would alone merit a positive review. Throw in leading the FSL in hits (156) and total bases (207) while ranking third in batting (.306) and Meadows had a spectacular season, despite modest power numbers. Scouts and managers still see the Jay Bruce comparisons Meadows' body garnered out of high school, and he's a better pure hitter than Bruce. Some consider him a future double-plus hitter due to his excellent balance, bat-to-ball skills and clean, simple swing. Meadows is an above-average runner who needs to improve his routes and jumps in center field to stay there. He faces a likely move to a corner, and he'll need to get more weight into the backside of his swing, using his lower half more, to drive the ball more consistently and develop his power. His fringy arm makes left field a better fit than right. His overall package reminded one scout of Christian Yelich, with more offensive upside.
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #6 prospect in 2014
  West Virginia fans had to be patient to get their first look at the Pirates' first-round pick from 2013. Meadows missed the first half of the season with a pulled hamstring and finally made his SAL debut on July 12. Meadows showed no signs of rust, as he kept his batting average over .300 for entire time he played at West Virginia, and he went hitless in back-to-back games only once. Evaluators loved Meadows quiet hands, simple approach and lefthanded swing. He stands balanced at the plate and has an advanced understanding of the strike zone. His biggest weakness right now is his inability to hit lefthanders. He posted a 1.038 OPS against righthanders, but that figure dropped to .458 versus southpaws. The Pirates see Meadows as a middle-of-the-order hitter, but scouts for other organizations see him as having the on-base skills to hit leadoff with an approach that emphasizes contact over power. Defensively, a few managers thought Meadows needs to improve his reads and routes, but most saw him as a solid center fielder with above-average speed.
• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #1 prospect in 2013
  When the Pirates didn?t sign Stanford righthander Mark Appel with the eighth overall pick last year, they received the No. 9 overall pick this year as compensation. They used that pick on Meadows, who signed for $3,029,600 and immediately made a strong impression. Meadows showed off a mature hitting approach and the ability to drive the ball with authority, ranking third in the GCL in slugging. Meadows is a patient hitter with a smooth, easy swing from the left side and several scouts considered him one of the safer high school bats in the draft. He does have some swing-and-miss tendencies, though it?s not excessive and it?s alleviated by his ability to draw walks and rack up extra-base hits. He has a flat bat path that doesn?t generate much loft, but he has the strength, bat speed and leverage to project for above-average power. Meadows is athletic and runs well for his size. He has a decent arm and spent his pro debut in center field, where he played solid defense. He?s already big for a teenager, so there?s a good chance he ends up on a corner.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #44 prospect in 2018
• Ranked Baseball America's #6 prospect in 2017
• Ranked Baseball America's #22 prospect in 2016
• Ranked Baseball America's #41 prospect in 2015
• Ranked Baseball America's #49 prospect in 2014

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The Pirates selected Meadows with the first of two first-round picks in the 2013 draft, picking him ninth overall with the compensation pick the club received for failing to sign first-rounder Mark Appel in 2012. Meadows signed for $3,029,600 to forgo a Clemson commitment. He comes from an athletic background as the son of two Division I athletes. His father played baseball and football at Morehead State, while his mother was a softball player at Georgia Southern and Georgia State. Meadows also played football in high school as a running back, linebacker and punter. He ranked among the top prospects in Double-A Eastern and Triple-A International leagues in 2016, a season in which he batted .266/.333/.536 with 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 87 games. Scouting Report: Meadows has harnessed his athleticism to become a pure hitter with a short, smooth stroke who sprays line drives to all fields. He remains in the process of unlocking his raw power as he continues to get comfortable turning on pitches and learning when it is wise to sell out for power. Meadows also shows a good eye at the plate, rarely chasing pitches out of the strike zone, and is willing to take a walk. Defensively, he is a fluid outfielder with outstanding instincts that allow him to get good jumps in center field and run down fly balls from gap to gap. His arm is slightly above-average, which will allow him to play right field if needed--or left field at Pittsburgh's PNC Park, where the gap in left-center field stretches to 410 feet. Meadows also runs well and has the raw speed to become a top-flight baserunner, though he still needs to improve his leads and jumps on balls off the bat while running the bases. Meadows wins high marks for his makeup as a hard worker with a great attitude and leadership capabilities. One potential drawback is durability. He missed most of the 2014 season and a month in 2016 at Triple-A Indianapolis because of hamstring injuries. The 2016 injury caused him to miss the Futures Game in San Diego. The Future: Meadows will begin 2017 back at Indianapolis, but it is not out of the question that he will make his major league debut before the all-star break. He was unable to get a full year of development in 2016 and injuries, which also included a fractured orbital bone sustained in spring training in a freak accident while playing catch, set him back slightly. Meadows projects to be a star-caliber player and probably will follow in the footsteps of such outfielders as Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco, who have been developed by the Pirates over the last decade.