Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects Meadows, Neverauskas Named to Futures Game

A pair of Pittsburgh Pirates prospects have been named to the Major League Baseball Futures Game, find out more below.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Tuesday that two of the organization’s highly-touted prospects have been selected to represent the club on July 10th in San Diego. Triple-A Indianapolis Indians centerfielder Austin Meadows and relief pitcher Dovydas Neverauskas will represent the U.S. and World rosters, respectively.

Austin Meadows is a player that is well-known not just among Pittsburgh Pirates fans, but throughout all of baseball. Meadows is the Pirates’ top rated position player prospect, and is one of the top 20 prospects in all of baseball. However, Dovydas Neverauskas is not nearly as well-known as Meadows.

Meadows’ selection shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone as he has put together strong numbers this season between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. Meadows is hitting for a .295/.346/.585 slash line between the two levels while hitting seven home runs, driving in 28 runs, and stealing 11 bases this season. All season long Meadows has shown why he is the Pittsburgh Pirates top rated position player prospect.

Dovydas Neverauskas has turned in impressive season between Double-A and Triple-A as well, which earned him the nod for the Futures Game. Neverauskas, a native of Vilnius, Lithuania, currently holds a sub-3.00 ERA (2.67) for the first time in his career, and he’s turned in a 0.92 WHIP in 28 appearances this season for the Indians and the Curve. Neverauskas has also limited opposing hitters to a .165 average and he has struck out 34 batters while allowing 12 walks this season.

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Even though Neverauskas is not nearly as well-known a prospect as Austin Meadows, he could still make an impact for the Pittsburgh Pirates down the road. Major League Baseball teams are always looking for power bullpen arms, and Neverauskas certainly fits that bill. This makes him an intriguing prospect.

The Futures Game is always an intriguing part of the Major League Baseball All-Star festivities every season. Having a pair of prospects in the game this year will make it more intriguing for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. Hopefully, Austin Meadows and Dovydas Neverauskas represent the Pittsburgh Pirates organization well.

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