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Pirates draft Bethel Park product

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 5 min read
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Bethel Park graduate Justin Meis was picked by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round of the MLB amateur draft. He is a 6-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher.

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Justin Meis, second from right, celebrates being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates with, from left, his brother, Ryan; mother, Leigh; and father, Jeff.

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Justin Meis struck out a school-record 16 batters during Bethel Park's 3-1 loss to North Allegheny on May 22, 2018, in the WPIAL Class 6A baseball playoffs.

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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Justin Meis anchored the Bethel Park pitching staff during his scholastic career. He also played shortstop for the Hawks and was a three-year varsity letterwinner in basketball.

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Justin Meis celebrates with Corey Fischer after he gets the final out in a victory against Canon-McMillan on May 4, 2018. The win assured Bethel Park of a section championship.

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Justin Meis tossed a no-hitter in a playoff win against Shaler back on May 16, 2017. It was Bethel Park's first since Andy Kountz fired one in 2007 and 11th all-time as Steve Misgalla had two in 1957 and 1958; Ken Hodgson in 1960; Bob Purkey with five from 1970-72 and Lou Buzzi with one in 1982.

As a youth, Justin Meis imagined playing in the major leagues. He just never envisioned it would be for the home team.

On July 12, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected the Bethel Park native in the 10th round of the MLB amateur draft. He was the 283rd overall pick.

“This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid,” said Meis. “So it’s pretty incredible (to be drafted). That it was actually the Pirates was even crazier. Unbelievable,” he added.

Because he had a great spring pitching for Eastern Michigan coming on the heels of an even more impressive summer showing in the Cape Cod League, Meis had gained the attention of the scouts.

“I was hoping this was my year,” admitted Meis. “I never told myself it was 100 percent though.”

So Meis went about his daily life. He was vacationing at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland when he received the call from Pirates area scout Anthony Wycklendt.

“The first thing he said was congratulations and I remember getting an unbelievable feeling and then giving a thumbs up to my family. It’s something I will always remember.”

Meis had a memorable career leading up to his MLB selection.

At Eastern Michigan University, he tossed 152.1 innings over 32 appearances. The 6-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher fanned 152 batters and walked just 66. This spring, he had 81 strikeouts in 73 2/3 innings with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.

Meis made national headlines when he fired eight scoreless frames against Mississippi State. Although he ultimately took the loss in the contest, Meis received a standing ovation from a capacity crowd at Dudy Noble Field. Mississippi State went on to win the College World Series.

Meis credits EM and particularly Eagles pitching coach A.J. Achter for progressing him toward his career goals.

“Obviously when you get to college, the focus is on baseball every day. You have a workout program and a strength coach. It helped a ton,” Meis said. “(Achter) played in the big leagues so that was a huge help to me. Not just the physical aspects and mechanics of pitching but he helped with the mental side of the game.”

Meis mentioned that the mental aspect of the game is vital at the professional level, especially since a pitcher is constantly battling himself.

“Most high school, college and pro players all have the physical skills but those that succeed have a strong mental approach to the game. It’s actually more mental than physical,” Meis explained. “When things are going well, you have to not get too high and when things go bad, not get too low. If you give up a home run, you still have to get the next guy out.

“As a pitcher, after every start you analyze your performance. Some starts do not go your way and others have a happy result. But they are times to reflect and analyze the things that you did right or wrong so that you improve.”

During his summer in Massachusetts, Meis showed marked improvement. In the Cape Cod League, he posted a 1-1 mark with a 2.07 ERA. In 17.1 innings, he struck out 17 and walked three.

“Cape Cod was a good experience and the competition was great,” Meis said. “I definitely think it did get me more exposure because there were always a bunch of scouts there watching games.”

Since his start in the Bethel Baseball Association, Meis has played many games. By demonstrating superior skills, he emerged as one of the top scholastic pitchers.

A four-year letter winner and team captain his senior season, Meis once struck out 16 batters in one game, setting a school record. He led the Black Hawks to two section banners while earning all-section, all-WPIAL and Almanac Diamond Dozen honors. As a senior, he managed a 1.40 ERA. He fanned 58, walked eight and owned a .218 OBA in 45 innings of work.

Meis also played basketball for the Black Hawks, earning three varsity letters and all-section, second team laurels in 2017 and 2018.

“Obviously, Bethel Park prepared me on and off the field and my experience there helped pave my path. Even the basketball was an asset. In the major leagues, you have to be athletic and basketball helped develop my skills and movement. Besides you can’t always focus on baseball all of the time.”

Now that he is a pro, Meis is zeroed in on honing his skill set. His go-to pitch is a slider that complements a fastball (clocked between 91-94 mph) and a developing change-up.

He is awaiting his assignment and he is thrilled to be part of the Pirates’ organization.

“I am anxious to be part of what’s going on,” said Meis. “I definitely see the Pirates headed in the right direction. I’m happy to be a part of this because I believe something special is in the works.”

Although he cannot predict when, Meis sees a World Series in the future.

“When (the Pirates) win it, that’s when I want to be playing there.

“Most definitely,” he added, “I’d want to be on the mound for when that would happen. That would be really, really cool.”

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