Pittsburgh Pirates Players Set To Benefit From The WBC

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Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Austin Meadows during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Outfielder Austin Meadows

Austin Meadows is the Pirates’ top prospect. Additionally, the 21-year old outfielder is one of the top prospects in all of baseball. According to Baseball America, Meadows currently checks in as the sixth best prospect in all of baseball.

In 2016 Meadows reached the Triple-A level. He played 37 games for the Indianapolis Indians and accumulated 145 plate appearances. He will begin the 2017 season back at Triple-A. Due to this, he is knocking on the door of the Major Leagues.

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Through the first 10 games of Grapefruit League play, Austin Meadows has accumulated 11 plate appearances. In these 11 trips to the plate Meadows is 2-for-9 with a double, two walks, three strikeouts, and a stolen base.

In the coming weeks Meadows should get plenty of opportunities to flash his hitting tools. Additionally, he will also get to flash his defensive tools in center field. As a five-tool player, there are few things Austin Meadows does not do well. Pirate fans will get to see a lot of this in the coming weeks.

One specific item to keep an eye on with Austin Meadows with the opportunity he is about to get is his strikeout rate. At Triple-A last season Meadows owned a 23.4 percent strikeout rate, and that is far too high.

Strikeouts have often plagued Meadows throughout his Minor League career. He owns a 19.4 percent strikeout rate in the Minor Leagues. While this is not astronomically high, it is still higher than you would like to see.

The ability to avoid strikeouts and put the ball in play more often when making outs is something to watch with Austin Meadows for the remainder of his time in Major League camp. Remember, not all outs are created equal.

His defense will be worth monitoring as well. While Meadows has always played center field throughout his Minor League career, as is the norm for top Pirate outfield prospects, there are some questions as to his ability to stay in center field long term. Many people feel Meadows is better suited for a corner outfield spot, which will make watching his center field defense worthwhile.

Austin Meadows is the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Thanks to the World Baseball Classic, Pirate fans will get a glimpse into the future the next few weeks.

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