Down On The Farm With Parker Meadows
I was able to meet up with and interview Parker Meadows, the younger brother of Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Austin Meadows, and the 2nd Round pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2018 (44th overall). Meadows is considered to be a top 10 prospect of the Detroit Tigers, and he began his first full season with the West Michigan Whitecaps, an advanced league for players who were taken right out of high school.
Parker should develop into a plus defender thanks to his plus speed, plus arm, and plus instincts. A 6’5” left handed hitter that is still quite raw at the plate (.221 AVG), he has shown the ability to hit for power (7 HR’s) and speed (14 SB’s), and seems to have much more to offer in both areas as he matures.
James Weisser: Who was one of your favorite players to watch growing up?
Parker Meadows: Growing up it was Chipper Jones for sure. I was a big Braves fan being from Atlanta. Me and my brothers used to watch him almost every game, it was fun doing that.
JW: Who do you try to model your game after?
PM: I would say my brother, just watching him come through the minor leagues. He’s battled through some injuries but he’s always had that positive mind set. That’s the main thing for me, don’t get too high on my good days and don’t get too low on my bad days. He has definitely been someone that I’ve enjoyed watching throughout my whole life.
JW: What’s your favorite thing about the game of baseball.
PM: I love the competitive nature of the game. I’m a competitive guy whatever the sport or game is, whether it’s baseball or any type of board game. I love competing.
JW: What got you interested in the game of baseball?
PM: I’ve been playing baseball since I was about 3 or 4 years old, my parents pushed me into doing it at a really young age and I fell in love with it ever since I was young.
JW: What inspires you to do your best?
PM: I would say my fans, my friends and family back home, my parents and my brother. Just having their support pushes me to want to do great.
JW: How are you using baseball to help others?
PM: I like to help others with advice, I like to help young players by giving them advice. I’m also a pretty positive person so I think the two allows me to be more helpful to others.
JW: What’s your favorite movie?
PM: I’d probably say Step Brothers, I’m a big Will Ferrell fan.
JW: What’s your favorite food?
PM: I’d say steak, I’m a big steak guy, huge steak guy.
JW: What’s your favorite kind of music?
PM: I think it just depends on the mood I’m in. If I’m fishing I’ll listen to some country. If I’m riding in my car I’ll listen to hip hop or pop. It really just depends on the mood.
JW: What are some of your interests outside of baseball?
PM: I like to fish, especially in the off-season. I’m looking forward to doing that. One of my happy places is to just be on a boat fishing.
JW: If you could be any superhero or have any superpower what would it be?
PM: I think I would choose flying because it would be fun to fly over cities, I think it would be cool.
JW: What’s something that people might not know about you?
PM: I can dunk a basketball and I’m pretty good at basketball.
