Outfielder Austin Meadows and shortstop Kevin Newman, the Pirates top position-player prospects yet to reach the majors, will begin their first major league spring training next month. They were among 19 non-roster invitees announced Monday morning by the Pirates.
Meadows, 21, is ranked by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the organization. Drafted ninth overall in 2013, he is considered the heir apparent to Andrew McCutchen in the Pirates outfield. After hitting .311 in 45 games at Class AA Altoona last season, he batted .214 in 37 games for Class AAA Indianapolis.
Newman, 23, the 19th overall pick in 2015, is an on-base machine.