In 2012, former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J Burnett was sidelined with an Orbital Fracture that required surgery and delayed his Pirates debut. The same injury has occurred to one of the Pirates top prospects, Austin Meadows.
Meadows, a first round draft pick in 2013, injured his eye while playing catch during a workout on Tuesday. He is expected to undergo further testing in Pittsburgh early next week.
According to MLB.com, Meadows ranks as the no. 2 overall prospect in the Pirates organization and the no. 20 overall prospect in all of baseball. The 20-year old, who is entering his fourth season playing for the organization, put up stellar offensive numbers last season playing for the Bradenton Marauders (Class A Advanced) and Altoona Curve (Class AA). Between the two minor league levels, Meadows hit .310 with seven home runs, 55 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 127 games.
It is likely that Meadows will start the 2016 season in Altoona, however, whether or not the Pirates best outfield prospect will have the start of his season delayed due to surgery is still yet to be determined.
