2. Austin Meadows, OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/3/1995 (22)
2017 teams/levels played for: Gulf Coast League Pirates, short-season A-Ball West Virginia Black Bears, AAA, Indianapolis Indians
2017 Stats: .261/.323/.384, 350 PA, 5 HR, 11 SB, 28/55 BB/K
Info: One of the elite prospects in all of baseball since he was drafted in 2013 by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of high school in Georgia. However, over the last two seasons, injuries have stalled his once-elite status.
Meadows has always shown plus contact ability, but he struggled with consistency with his bat path during 2017, especially around his oblique injury. His pitch recognition has been something the Pirates wanted to see improve throughout his career path.
Meadows is a plus runner, and that allows him to handle all three outfield positions in spite of a fringe-average arm. His speed hasn’t translated perfectly on the bases yet.
With Andrew McCutchen out of Pittsburgh, it would not surprise if the team made a move to trade one or more of their current outfielders midseason, which would open a spot for Meadows. For now, he’ll open the 2018 season in AAA.
1. Mitch Keller, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/4/1996 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: short-season A-ball West Virginia Black Bears, high-A Bradenton Marauders, AA Altoona Curve
2017 Stats: 23 GS, 116 IP, 3.03 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 6.9% BB, 25% K
Info: Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft out of Iowa, Keller quickly blossomed and became one of the top prospects in the Pirates system. He’s moved up to one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball.
(Keller) moved up to one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball
After filling into his 6’3″ frame, Keller has seen his stuff tick up to sitting 95 with impressive life, touching 99 and even a few radars ranging into triple digits. The fastball is paired with a big, looping curve that seems to dive straight for the dirt when it makes its break.
He has worked on his change over his pro time, and that was a focus of his time at the Arizona Fall League. Many worry about his velocity on the pitch, as it ranges 88-90, but he was showing very good arm deception and getting excellent movement in Arizona.
Keller will open the season at AA, and he could eventually head the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation someday.
Next: Newcomers to watch