For the Pittsburg Pirates there's been a new look to the team. With trading away franchise fan favorite CF Andrew McCutchen and former #1 overall pick Ace SP Gerrit Cole. These transactions made the Pittsburgh Pirates be ranked in the bottom part of standings in the NL Central with the Cubs, Cardinals, and Brewers all improving this offseason. The Pirates did pickup 2017 All-Star OF Corey Dickerson to fill in McCutchens void in the outfield, but is not a long-term commitment. With Pittsburgh losing there core players and going back to there losing ways. Austin Meadows will be ready to raise the jolly roger in 2018. The former #9th overall pick in the 2013 draft is now 22 years old, ranked #45th in the MLB Top 100 list, and the Pirates #1 prospect in their system. Meadows is right now a 3-tool player with his hitting, fielding, and arm with power coming on the way. Meadows has a smooth fluid swing that gives him good recognition through the strike-zone with the ability to draw more walks than strikeouts. He can also hit off of lefties as well as he can hit off righties, spreading the defense thin hitting the ball to where it's located not being pull favored. His fielding is improving with covering enough ground in Center Field with good tracking recognition and an accurate arm making his cutoffs consistently enough to be an everyday MLB Center Fielder. Center Fielders are known for having the weakest arm in the outfield so if his velocity never develops there won't be problem for his other solid tool in the outfield. The problems Austin will encounter once he enters the show is the difference between MLB left-handed pitchers and Minor League pitchers, pitchers throwing off-speed low and away from him, and with his health to play everyday. Austin has struggled to stay on the field being sidelined with injuries, but that has not let him destroy his progress for already making the jump to Triple-A last season playing in 72 games. With a healthy a Meadows beginning in Triple-A this season. We can see Austin get the call-up either just before the All-Star game or at the end of the season in August-September depending on if Pittsburgh decides to tank and if someone on the MLB roster gets injured. Right now for Pirates fans there's not a lot to be excited about this season but if there's one thing to be optimistic about it's Austin Meadows waiting for the call up.
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