After posting a .294/.336/.397 slash line with one home run, 10 doubles, and eight stolen bases across 32 games for Triple-A Indianapolis so far this year, Austin Meadows made his much-anticipated MLB debut for the Pirates on Friday night. The organization’s No. 2 prospect (42nd overall) according to MLB.com settled in quickly, going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and a steal. Meadows was called up to replace star outfielder Starling Marte , who hit the 10-day DL due to a strained oblique, on the 25-man roster. Marte’s injury is not considered to be severe, so Meadows’ first stay in the bigs may end up being a relatively short one. In any case, he certainly looks ready for the show.

 

In Case You Missed It

Another rookie outfielder that enjoyed a memorable Friday night was Dustin Fowler . Following a 3-for-19 stretch over his first seven games for the A’s this season, Fowler went 2-for-3 with a double and his first big-league homer in a 3-1 victory at Toronto.

Whit Merrifield is on an incredibly impressive run for the Royals. He turned in the seventh mulit-hit effort of his current 11-game hitting streak in Friday’s win over the Yankees, going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs, and three steals. Merrifield is now 20-for-43 with six extra-base hits and eight stolen bases during those last 11 contests.

Any concern about Jacob deGrom , who spent 10 days on the DL earlier this month then lasted only one inning in his return last Sunday, should be eased after his showing on the Citi Field mound Friday evening. The All-Star righty defanged the Diamondbacks, surrendering just one run on six hits and no walks while punching out 13 across 7.0 innings.

 

Saturday on the Hill

Atlanta lefty Sean Newcomb has had everything working since the calendar flipped to May. The second-year hurler has yet to be scored upon through three starts this month, as he has allowed just five hits alongside a 20-to-8 K/BB ratio across 19.0 innings. Newcomb will head to the bump Saturday evening to face the Marlins on five days’ rest.

Andrew Heaney is another southpaw that could be sitting on the cusp of a breakout if his recent form is any indication. Heaney delivered perhaps the best performance of his career this past Monday night against the defending World Champion Astros, tying a career high with 10 strikeouts while allowing only one run on four hits and a walk across 8.0 innings. Heaney now boasts a 1.80 ERA and 9.4 K/9 over his last four starts. He will battle the Rays at Angel Stadium on Saturday.  

 

You can follow Nate Miller on Twitter @Miller_RotoDad or hear him every Monday & Thursday hosting the Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Baseball Podcast along with Colby Conway.