Pirates Select Austin Meadows At #9

The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected Austin Meadows as the ninth overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft.

Here's my scouting report of him from my draft preview:

6) Austin Meadows--OF--L/L--6'3--200--HSMeadows has the potential to be a five-tool talent, and may have the best shot at being that type of player out of anyone in this draft class.  He has the range to handle center field, along with the speed and arm to make it in any outfield position.  He makes good contact with a solid swing, but hasn't produced as much power in games as scouts would like him to.  If he develops power, he has the highest upside of any player in this class. 

Meadows was the best player still on the board for the Pirates at number nine, so the Pirates made the correct choice here.  There's not much question as to whether he will sign or not, but it will probably take around the slotted amount of $3,029,600 to sign him to a deal.  He has the highest upside of any high school position player in this draft class, and will most likely start in the rookie level Gulf Coast League if he plays this year.  Expect him to start the year in Low-A West Virginia in 2014.