Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects 2023 Recap: Justin Meis Benefits From Move to the Bullpen

After moving to a relief role, Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Justin Meis found success with Double-A Altoona in 2023

With the first pick in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected a local product. With this pick, the Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Justin Meis. Meis was drafted out of Eastern Michigan University and is a product of Bethel Park High School.

Meis spent the entire 2023 season with the Double-A Altoona Curve. This was the first time in his professional career that Meis reached the Double-A level. On the surface, it appeared that things did not go well for Meis. However, it was a tale of two seasons.

With the Curve, Meis pitched in 29 games with 10 being starts. Across these 29 games Meis pitched 83.0 innings, posting a 4.55 ERA and a 5.34 FIP. He walked batters at a 12.7% clip, struck out 20.9% of opposing batters, and allowed 13 home runs (1.41 HR/9).

Meis started for the Curve in his first 6 appearances of the season. After posting a 6.86 ERA and a 5.70 FIP in these 6 starts, Meis moved to a relief role with the Curve. This was a move that would benefit Meis.

Meis pitched 62.0 innings in his final 23 appearances of the season, with only 4 of these 23 appearances being starts. In these 62.0 innings pitched Meis posted a 3.77 ERA, 12.3% walk rate, and a 23.0% strikeout rate. He allowed 10 home runs (1.45 HR/9) and limited opposing batters to a .216 batting average.

In the 4 starts Meis made after coming out of the rotation, he pitched 4 innings twice, 3.0 innings once, and 3.1 innings once. So, Meis was not being used as a true starter but instead as an opener/piggyback arm.

The success Meis found after moving out of a full-time starting pitcher role makes it clear where his long-term home should be. Moving forward, Meis should be pitching in relief in the Pirate farm system. If he starts, it should only be as an opener/piggyback arm.

When the 2024 season begins Meis will likely be back with Double-A Altoona. This time, however, it should be in a relief role. If Meis pitches well, the 24-year-old should then find himself in the bullpen at Triple-A Indianapolis before the season ends. He could then put himself in a position to enter the 2025 season close to he majors.