Drafted in the 6th round (185th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2004 (signed for $135,000).
View Draft Report
RHP Cla Meredith led the CAA with a 1.19 ERA in 2003, and he came in second to Smith this spring after going 7-3, 2.43 with 79 strikeouts against 11 walks in 63 innings. He has a funky crossfire delivery from a low three-quarters, almost sidearm delivery and touches 87-90 mph with lots of movement.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Meredith followed Huston Street to become the second player from the 2004 draft to reach the majors, getting the call to join a decimated Boston bullpen in early May. He tightened up after the promotion and his arm lacked its usual whip. He surrendered a grand slam to Richie Sexson in his first game, then gave up four runs in two more appearances before returning to Triple-A. He wasn't the same pitcher afterward, posting a 5.59 ERA for the remainder of the season. He started nibbling and trying to trick hitters, rather than going after them with a sinker and no fear as he had before. Meredith is tough to pick up for hitters, especially righthanders, because he uses a crossfire delivery from a low three-quarters angle. His funky motion gives him plus-plus sink on an 87-90 mph fastball, making him a groundball machine. His slider is a fringe-average second pitch, though it floats dangerously high in the strike zone when he doesn't stay on top of it. He throws strikes with ease. Though lefties hit .359 against him in Triple-A, his exceptional movement has been enough to keep them at bay in the past. Once Meredith realizes he doesn't need to reinvent himself, he'll be fine. Ticketed for Triple-A, he could resurface with the Red Sox later in 2006.
The Red Sox loaded up on polished college pitchers in the 2004 draft. Meredith, who finished sixth (right behind Tommy Hottovy) in NCAA Division I with an 84-12 strikeout-walk ratio, signed as a sixth-round pick for $135,000. He pitched a Virginia Commonwealth with such top pitching prospects as Sean Marshall (Cubs) and Justin Orenduff (Dodgers), setting the Rams' career ERA record at 2.52 Though he didn't join the organization until June, Meredith led all Boston farmhands with 18 saves while splitting time between two full-season Class A teams. He used a crossfire, low three-quarters delivery that generates a lot of life and deception. The Red Sox compare the sink on his fastball to postseason hero Derek Lowe's, grading it as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Meredith's sinker arrives at 87-90 mph and is nearly impossible to lift, as evidenced by his 47-8 groundball-flyball ratio as a pro. His slider is a borderline average pitch that needs more consistency. After following up his scintillating debut with a strong performance in instructional league, Meredith could open 2005 in Double-A.
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone