Pirate Prospect: An Interview with Austin Meadows

Austin Meadows is a pirate prospect of intrigue in the Pirates system that can be viewed to progress quickly, when healthy.

Currently ranked as MLB.com’s #2 overall prospect, Meadows profiled as the nation’s top prep prospect coming into the 2013 MLB draft. His approach is distinguished as a contact-driven approach that leaves scouts wondering if the power potential is there. Last year in 127 games between A+ Bradenton and AA Altoona, Meadows hit for a .310/.360/.420 line with 7 HR, 55 RBI, 24 doubles, and 7 triples. He drew 43 walks and struck out 84 times.

Meadows has missed some time in 2016 with an eye injury he suffered in early March, but he still ranks as a future star in the making for the Pirates who, with time, will develop into an everyday outfielder for Pittsburgh.

I caught up with Meadows for a brief minute before the AA Altoona Curve’s contest on Friday at Akron:

Q: What’s your experience been like thus far as a member of the Pirates’ system?

Meadows: “it’s been great. I really enjoy it and there are a lot of good guys in this organization. There’s a good chemistry on this team, and I just look forward to working hard (every day.)

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Q: What has the transition been like for you, getting drafted out of high school and getting thrown right into pro ball?

Meadows:  It’s been a good change. I have this great group of guys around me and I’ve been working really hard out there and busting my butt out there to try and get better each and every day.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish throughout your baseball career?

Meadows: To stay healthy, you know? I want to win championships, and I want to have fun out there and play my game.

Q: What’s one weaker part of your game that you would identify in yourself and that you might be able to work on?

Meadows: I can work at all aspects of my game each and every game, I’m just trying to get better. Whether it’s throwing, fielding, or hitting or getting on the bases, I’m always working to get better and improve in each aspect of my game.

Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions that you follow in preparation?

Meadows: I try to stay relaxed before games, and I focus on going out and having fun each and every single day.

Related Story: Top Pitching Prospect Tyler Glasnow

Austin Meadows plays each and every pitch with the intensity of a Little Leaguer, and Pirates fans can relax in knowing the future of this prospect is bright, and with time, will definitely show at the Major League level. His hit and fielding tools make him a candidate to see time in AAA this season, but you would think the organization certainly would take a cautious approach with a kid so versatile and so highly coveted.

Corey Crisan is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Rum Bunter on the FanSided family of networks. Follow him on twitter @cdcrisan.