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Austin Wilson
| Austin WilsonLike Clint Frazier, Meadows is a high ceiling prep product from Georgia who hopes to stick in center field long term. |
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|---|---|---|
| Pos | High School / College | Consensus Rank |
| OF |
Grayson HS (GA) |
early 1st round |
| B/T | Birthdate (age) | Height / Weight |
| L/L | 5/3/95 (18) | 6'3" / 200 lbs |
Austin Meadows is the Robin to Clint Frazier's Batman. Another high ceiling prep outfielder from Georgia, Meadows actually has superior raw tools -- boasting a 30-home run ceiling and good speed. For that reason he's a better bet to hang in center field for the early stages of his career. The issue is that despite a smooth stroke from the left side, Meadows just doesn't have the same level of polish as his fellow Georgian. Namely, his hit tool just hasn't stood out along with the rest of his high-impact tools. Regardless, the total package is a back-half of the top ten talent, who -- if he lasted til no. 11 -- would be tough for the Mets to pass up on.
Video (via ESPN Insider):
What the scouts/analysts are saying:
Mark Anderson, Baseball Prospect Nation:
"Has the offensive profile of a legit top of the round player. Not a true 1-1 candidate for me but a potential guy in the 4-8 range. A team that believes in his ability to stay up the middle could be more aggressive. ."
Matt Garrioch, Minor League Ball:
"As a physical specimen who could hit 30 home runs and stick in center field, the package is just too good to pass on at the top of the draft but his hit tool is worrisome to me. Player development will have a good player to work with here and I can't see him sliding out of the top 10 unless something unusual happens prior to June."
Jim Callis, Baseball America:
"Without the benefit of extra picks to load up on talent like it had a year ago, Toronto will shoot for a high-ceiling player here. If Stewart, Frazier and Ball aren't available, Meadows would stand out. The Blue Jays also would consider Shipley or McGuire."
What Alex is saying:
"Austin Meadows looks like a star. He’s built like a developing linebacker, he’s quick, he’s strong, he has plenty of batspeed and a cannon for an arm, and his swing is pretty. And while not everyone agrees with me, I can see Meadows in center, at least for the early portion of his career. He has a smooth stroke from the left side, with good hip rotation and a nice weight transfer--the swing path is still a little flat, but it’s a great swing on the whole. However, the results just aren’t there in games, so many scouts are befuddled as to why this kid’s raw skills aren’t translating despite clean hitting mechanics. And with nothing obvious to fix, there's reason for caution."
