Pittsburgh Pirates’ Austin Meadows, Gregory Polanco Among MLB’s Top 10 OF Prospects
Jun 28, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager
Clint Hurdle(left) poses for a photograph with 2013 first round draft selection
Austin Meadows(right) before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Just how bright is the future for the Pittsburgh Pirates?
Judging by the praise we have seen over the course of the past few weeks for the Pirates’ minor league system, the sky could be the limit.
So far we have seen pitcherJameson Taillonranked as the fifthbest right-handed pitching prospect in the game by MLB.com,Alen Hansonasthe eighth best shortstopandReese McGuireacknowledgedas the seventh best catchingprospect in baseball.
Not only that but the Pirates were voted by Baseball America ashaving the MLB’s best farm systemand the Bucs are certainly to have as many Top 100 prospects as any team in baseball when that list is unveiled Thursday night.
One of the strengths of the Pirates’ farm system is in the outfield and a pair of Bucs’ outfielders cracked the Top 10 rankings as well.
It’s no surprise to anyway thatGregory Polancowas near the top of that list, clocking in at No. 3 behind the Minnesota Twins’Byron Buxtonand the St. Louis Cardinals’Oscar Taveras. Polanco could become a legitimate MLB five-tool player and could be seen on the big stage as early as this summer.
The other Pirates prospect to crack the list is 2013 first-round pickAustin Meadows, who is called the best all-around high school position player from the 2013 Draft.
MLB.com wrote:
"His pretty left-handed swing and advanced offensive approach translated into a terrific pro debut, and he projects to be an above-average hitter with solid power. Meadows runs well and plays a quality center field, with a below-average arm the only thing preventing him from being a true five-tool player."
With Meadows and McGuire both being so highly thought of so quickly into their pro careers, it makes the Pirates 2013 Draft look very good so far.
Polanco’s and Meadows’ inclusion as two of the 10 top outfield prospects in the game is just another reason why fans should be extremely excited about the Pirates future.