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Austin Meadows
Meadows with the Rays in 2019
Outfielder
Born: (1995-05-03) May 3, 1995 (age 29)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 18, 2018, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.259
Home runs70
Runs batted in238
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Austin Wade Meadows (born May 3, 1995) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, and Detroit Tigers.

Early life

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Meadows was born May 3, 1995, in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] Both of his parents were college athletes: mother Staci played softball at Georgia Southern and Georgia State, while father Kenny was a baseball and American football player at Morehead State.[2] Meadows began playing sports when he was three years old, with his father coaching him until high school.[3] Raised in Grayson, Georgia, Meadows was a three-sport athlete, playing baseball, American football, and basketball at Grayson High School.[4] In his final season of high school baseball, Meadows batted .535 with four home runs and 28 runs batted in.[5]

Career

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Draft and minor leagues (2013–2018)

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The Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) selected Meadows ninth overall in the 2013 MLB draft.[6] Meadows, who had committed to play college baseball for the Clemson Tigers, ultimately agreed to a professional contract with the Pirates on June 28.[7] He received a $3,029,600 signing bonus and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Pirates to start his professional baseball career.[8] Meadows was a Gulf Coast League All-Star in his first season of professional baseball, hitting .294 with five home runs in 43 GCL games.[9] On August 31, Meadows was promoted to the Class A Short Season Jamestown Jammers of the New York-Penn League,[10] and he had two home runs in five NYPL games to end the season.[11][12]

After a promising rookie season, Meadows opened the 2014 season with the Class A West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League.[13] During spring training, Meadows suffered a hamstring injury while rounding the bases,[14] and he experienced a setback in April.[15] He did not appear in game action until June 30, when his rehab assignment began with the GCL Pirates.[16] After rehab stints there and with the Bristol Pirates,[17] he returned to the Power on July 11.[18] Because Meadows could not practice his fielding while rehabilitating the injury, he spent more time developing his hitting.[19]

  • 2014 West Virginia Power

Going into 2015, assistant general manager Kyle Stark told Meadows that the message was to "Go get a full season worth of at-bats".[20] He started the season with the Bradenton Marauders.[21]

  • 2015 Bradenton Marauders
  • 2015 Altoona Curve
  • 2015 Glendale Desert Dogs

During a spring workout in 2016, Meadows fractured the orbital bone in his right eye,[22] an injury requiring surgical repair.[23] He rehabilitated as part of extended spring training and reported to the Curve at the end of April, wearing a face guard and protective glasses.[24] He had a slow start to the season in Altoona, hitting only .192 in his first 21 games, before going on a 24-game hitting streak.[25] On June 18, the Pirates organization promoted Meadows to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. At the time, he was hitting .311 with six home runs, eight triples, and nine stolen bases on the season.[26] At the end of the month, Meadows was selected to represent the Pirates organization at the All-Star Futures Game in San Diego,[27] but he was not able to attend due to a hamstring injury.[28]

  • 2016 West Virginia Black Bears
  • 2016 Indianapolis Indians
  • 2017 Indianapolis Indians

Meadows spent the offseason doing yoga and cross-training to stay healthy for the 2017 season.[29]

Pittsburgh Pirates (2018)

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Meadows with the Pirates in 2018

Following an oblique injury to outfielder Starling Marte, the Pirates promoted Meadows to Pittsburgh on May 17, 2018.[30] At the time, he had been batting .294 with one home run and 15 RBI in 32 International League games that season.[31] Meadows made his major league debut the next day, recording two hits and a stolen base in the Pirates' 3–2 loss to the San Diego Padres.[32] Meadows hit his first major league home run on May 20, against Jordan Lyles of the San Diego Padres.[33] After hitting .409 with eight extra-base hits, including four home runs, in his firast 13 games, Meadows was named the National League Rookie of the Month for May 2018.[34] His early success failed to carry over into July, and his playing time decreased as manager Clint Hurdle wanted Meadows to alter "one mechanical thing" about his plate approach.[35] On July 15, the Pirates optioned Meadows back down to Indianapolis so he could play every day, while Jordan Luplow took over as the fourth outfielder. At the time of the demotion, Meadows was hitting .298 with five home runs and 13 RBI in Pittsburgh.[36]

Tampa Bay Rays (2018–2021)

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On July 31, 2018, the Pirates traded Meadows, Tyler Glasnow, and a player to be named later to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Chris Archer. Meadows was assigned to the Rays' Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls, to get everyday playing time before a major league promotion.[37] After hitting .344 with 10 home runs and 22 RBI in 27 games for Durham, Meadows was promoted to Tampa on September 19.[38] Manager Kevin Cash did not expect to use Meadows much after the promotion, as the Rays had an everyday outfield in Kevin Kiermaier, Mallex Smith, and Tommy Pham.[39] Playing in 10 games with the Rays at the end of the season, Meadows batted .250 with one home run and four RBI.[40]

  • 2019

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional spring training was replaced by a July "Summer Camp".[41] Meadows contracted the COVID-19 virus shortly after reporting to Summer Camp, and he did not return to the team until August 4, after the 2020 MLB season began.[42] With his usual season preparation derailed, Meadows struggled to find his timing, batting .205 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 36 games.[40][43] On September 18, the Rays placed Meadows on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, an injury that ended his regular season.[44] His recovery progressed faster than anticipated, and the Rays activated Meadows for the 2020 American League Division Series (ALDS) against the New York Yankees.[45] Meadows' struggles continued into the postseason, as he went 7-for-51 with 18 strikeouts as the Rays lost the 2020 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.[43][46]

Following his frustrating 2020 performance, Meadows lost weight, changed his diet, and improved his workout regimen to prepare for the 2021 MLB season.[43] Serving as an outfielder and designated hitter, Meadows' power returned first: during the first six weeks of the season, he hit .189 with seven home runs. After that point, he went on a 22-game streak during which he hit .330 with another seven homers.[47] Meadows recorded his first major league walk-off hit on July 21, with an RBI single against Tanner Scott of the Baltimore Orioles.[48] On September 17, Meadows recorded his 100th RBI on the season with a sacrifice fly to score Ji-Man Choi. He became the sixth Ray to record 100 RBI in a season, and the first since Evan Longoria in 2010.[49] Meadows finished the regular season hitting .234 with 27 home runs and 106 RBI.[50] He was 2-for-9 with a home run and three RBI in the 2021 ALDS,[40] which the Rays lost to the Boston Red Sox.[51]

Detroit Tigers (2022–2023)

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  • 2022

Prior to the 2023 season, the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $4.3 million contract with Meadows, avoiding arbitration.[52] While 2023 was supposed to be a comeback season for Meadows, who recorded three hits in Detroit's season opener against the Rays,[53] he was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 8 with anxiety.[54] Meadows spent time around the team early in the season, watching some games from the dugout, but returned to his Florida home in June.[55] On November 17, the Tigers non-tendered Meadows, releasing him to free agency as he contemplated whether to continue with baseball.[56] In the six games Meadows played that season, he was 5-for-21 with a double and two RBI.[40]

International career

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Meadows made his international baseball debut with the United States national under-18 baseball team at the 2011 World Youth Baseball Championship in Mexico. He led the gold-medal team with 22 hits and 28 RBI in eight games and was named to the all-tournament team.[57]

Personal life

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Meadows' younger brother Parker is also a professional baseball outfielder.[58] Parker was drafted by the Tigers in 2018 and made his MLB debut in 2023.[59] Meadows married Alexis Wilson in December 2018,[60] and their daughter Adelynne was born three years later.[58]

References

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  1. ^ "Austin Meadows Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  2. ^ Reiter, Cheyne (July 27, 2018). "Austin Meadows: Taking Center Stage". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Dahn, Jeff (June 16, 2012). "Meadows maintains a level head". Perfect Game. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Wilson, David (March 24, 2017). "Pirates prospect Austin Meadows was also high school football star". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  5. ^ Friedlander, David (June 5, 2013). "Grayson's Meadows picked 9th by Pirates in MLB draft". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  6. ^ "Pirates Select Austin Meadows with 9th Overall Pick in Draft". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. June 6, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  7. ^ Petrella, Steven (June 28, 2013). "Pirates, first-rounder Meadows come to terms". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  8. ^ "Pirates sign top pick Austin Meadows". ESPN. Associated Press. June 28, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  9. ^ Seiner, Jake (September 4, 2013). "Meadows, Jammers clinch playoff spot". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Wild, Danny (September 6, 2013). "Meadows leads Jammers past Spikes". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  11. ^ "Austin Meadows Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "Jammers claim NYPL wild card, playoff berth". Times Observer. September 5, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  13. ^ Sawchik, Travis (March 14, 2014). "Pirates prospects Meadows, McGuire help bolster top-rated farm system". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  14. ^ Brink, Bill (May 25, 2018). "How Austin Meadows found comfort on his way to the majors". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  15. ^ Callis, Jim (April 17, 2014). "Injuries sidelining a number of top prospects". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  16. ^ White, R.J. (June 30, 2014). "Austin Meadows returns from injury, doubles twice in debut". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  17. ^ Hayes, Tim (July 7, 2014). "Astros send BriBucs reeling, 15-3". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  18. ^ "Austin Meadows Finally Heading to West Virginia". Pirates Prospects. July 11, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  19. ^ Halley, Jim (September 17, 2014). "ALL-USA Where are they now: Pirates prospect Meadows started late but closed strongly". USA Today. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  20. ^ Brink, Bill (April 5, 2015). "Waiting in the wings: Glasnow says he's learning from elders". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  21. ^ Dill, Jason (April 13, 2015). "Top prospects McGuire, Meadows headline 2015 roster". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  22. ^ Nesbitt, Stephen J. (March 9, 2016). "Pirates prospect Austin Meadows suffers orbital fracture during workout". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  23. ^ Berry, Adam (March 19, 2016). "Meadows has surgery to repair orbital fracture". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  24. ^ "Meadows a sight for sore eyes". Altoona Mirror. April 26, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  25. ^ "Austin Meadows Promoted to Triple-A". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. June 18, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  26. ^ "Top prospect Meadows promoted to Indianapolis Indians". IndyStar. June 18, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  27. ^ "Meadows, Neverauskas Selected to All-Star Futures Game". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. June 28, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  28. ^ Nesbitt, Stephen J. (July 12, 2016). "Pirates notebook: Mark Melancon knows what to expect at All-Star festivities". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  29. ^ Tripodi, Chris (February 22, 2017). "Prospect Q&A: Meadows bolsters resolve". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  30. ^ "Pirates call up OF prospect Austin Meadows with Starling Marte ailing". ESPN. Associated Press. May 17, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  31. ^ Kahn, David (May 19, 2018). "Meadows makes MLB debut with Pittsburgh". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  32. ^ Gorman, Kevin (May 18, 2018). "Kevin Gorman: Promoting Meadows a good call for Pirates". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  33. ^ Wittner, Mason (May 20, 2018). "Meadows crushes no-doubter for 1st MLB HR". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  34. ^ Thornburg, Chad (June 2, 2018). "May's best rookies are Torres, Meadows". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  35. ^ Berry, Adam (July 12, 2018). "Meadows sits for Bucs, 'working on some things'". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  36. ^ Berry, Adam (July 15, 2018). "Meadows optioned to Triple-A". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  37. ^ Chastain, Bill (July 31, 2018). "Rays deal Archer, look ahead in Deadline moves". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  38. ^ Topkin, Marc (September 19, 2018). "Rays journal: Austin Meadows among final wave of callups". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  39. ^ Rose, Aaron (September 20, 2018). "Meadows called up by Rays, not in lineup". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  40. ^ a b c d "Austin Meadows Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  41. ^ Baccellieri, Emma (July 1, 2020). "'Summer Camp' Is Here - But MLB's Calendar Is Shattered". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  42. ^ Toribio, Juan (August 4, 2020). "Meadows back; Margot on bereavement list". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  43. ^ a b c Berry, Adam (February 25, 2021). "Slimmer Meadows eager to regain '19 form". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  44. ^ Johnston, Joey (September 18, 2020). "Rays' Austin Meadows placed on 10-day injured list". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  45. ^ Toribio, Juan (October 5, 2020). "TB sets ALDS roster: Meadows in, 13 pitchers". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  46. ^ Castillo, Jorge (October 27, 2020). "Dodgers defeat the Tampa Bay Rays to win first World Series title since 1988". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  47. ^ Topkin, Marc (June 10, 2021). "Rays' Austin Meadows' past is showing, and that's a good thing". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  48. ^ Berry, Adam (July 21, 2021). "Meadows powers Rays with 1st walk-off hit". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  49. ^ Topkin, Marc (September 17, 2021). "Austin Meadows is first Ray to reach 100 RBIs since 2010". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  50. ^ "Detroit Tigers acquire OF Austin Meadows in trade with Tampa Bay Rays". ESPN. Associated Press. April 4, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  51. ^ Hoch, Bryan (October 12, 2021). "5 reasons Red Sox prevailed over Rays". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  52. ^ Petzold, Evan (November 18, 2022). "Detroit Tigers tender contracts to six arbitration-eligible players for 2023 season". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  53. ^ Woodbery, Evan (April 1, 2023). "Tigers' Austin Meadows hopes 3-hit opener is start of comeback season". MLive Media Group. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  54. ^ Beck, Jason (April 8, 2023). "Meadows placed on IL as he deals with anxiety". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  55. ^ Woodbery, Evan (September 11, 2023). "Austin Meadows won't play again in 2023. Is his Tigers tenure over?". MLive Media Group. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  56. ^ Petzold, Evan (November 17, 2023). "Detroit Tigers non-tender Austin Meadows, Spencer Turnbull, making them free agents". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  57. ^ Remsberg, Matt (June 6, 2012). "Meadows not taking eye off the ball". ESPN. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  58. ^ a b McCosky, Chris (February 18, 2023). "With a new baby at home, his brother in the clubhouse, Austin Meadows ready to be right for Tigers". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  59. ^ Beck, Jason (August 21, 2023). "Tigers summon No. 10 prospect Meadows, in lineup Monday". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  60. ^ Layberger, Tom (April 2, 2019). "Sweet-Swinging Austin Meadows Is Excited For His Opportunity With The Tampa Bay Rays". Forbes. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
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