Eastern Michigan Athletics
Justin Meis Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2021 MLB Draft
7/12/2021 5:44:00 PM | Baseball
EMU has produced a draft pick in four of the last five seasons
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University junior right-hander Justin Meis (Pittsburgh, Pa.-Bethel Park) was selected with the first pick in the 10th round, 283rd overall, by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft today, July 12. Meis becomes the 77th EMU player to be drafted all-time into the MLB, and becomes the fourth selection from EMU in the past five years, joining 2017 Seattle Mariners pick Sam Delaplane, 2018 Oakland Athletics selection Max Schuemann, and 2019 Miami Marlins choice Zachary Owings.
Meis is the sixth player from Eastern Michigan to be drafted into the Pirates organization, the first since Matt Skirving was selected in the 30th round in 2010.
Being selected in the 10th round, Meis is now the highest drafted player from Eastern Michigan since 2007, when Jeff Fischer was taken in the same round by the Colorado Rockies. Additionally, Meis is just the second collegiate player out of the State of Michigan to be selected in the 2021 MLB Draft thus far. He joins the University of Michigan's Steven Hajjar, who was taken in the second round by the Minnesota Twins.
For Eastern, 2021 marks MLB Draft selections in four of the last five seasons. 2020 was an oddity, as the draft was reduced to just five rounds as opposed to its usual 40 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 draft features 20 rounds, still significantly less than customary. EMU's four picks in the last five years is its most successful stretch of sending players to the next level in better than a decade; Five Eagles were drafted between 2007-09.
"I am incredibly excited for Justin to get drafted and have the ability to play professional baseball," said Head Coach Eric Roof. "He has worked so hard during his time at Eastern Michigan, and has accomplished so much. What is so exciting is that he still has even more potential for growth. He's got an extremely bright future and we are so proud of him."
An accomplished pitcher during his tenure with the Green and White, Meis has been an impact player for Roof's squad since arriving on campus for the 2019 season. He made 14 appearances, including 12 starts, as a true freshman and established himself as one of the team's weekend starters. The Pittsburgh native tossed a team-best 58.0 innings during his freshman campaign, racking up 42 strikeouts, which was third-most of any Eagle, and finished the season with three victories, a number that tied for first in the clubhouse. Meis was the only EMU freshman to earn a win in his debut season with the team.
The 2020 season, which was halted after just 14 games due to the pandemic, saw Meis make just four trips to the hill for a total of 20.2 innings. Still, he was able to dominate in his first start of the year, at Austin Peay, Feb. 15, going six innings and striking out 10 opposing hitters. Despite the shortened season, he still led EMU in innings pitched, strikeouts (29), and starts (4).
Back for his junior season in 2021, Meis helped lead Eastern Michigan to its best stretch of baseball in a decade when it went on a streak and won 10-of-11 contests. At one time, the team bested its opponents in seven-straight games, including five Mid-American Conference foes, which were both firsts since 2011. Overall, the team finished a much improved 21-30 overall (15-25 MAC).
Locked in all season, Meis made national headlines early in the season when he went eight scoreless against then-No. 3 Mississippi State, March 13, in Starkville, Miss. Although he ultimately took the loss in the contest via a ninth-inning comeback for the Bulldogs, Meis received a standing ovation from a capacity crowd at Dudy Noble Field. Mississippi State went on to win the College World Series just weeks ago.
EMU's most consistent presence on the bump, Meis finished the 2021 campaign with 14 appearances, and a career-high 13 starts. He again paced the Eagles with 73.2 innings pitched and 81 strikeouts, both career-best stats for the Steel City product. His ERA was a career-low 4.64 in 2021, and his career-best four wins tied for second among EMU players.
In addition to his on-field success, Meis was also named the MAC Co-Pitcher of the Week on April 17. Tossing the most innings by any Eagle over the preceding week, Meis went 2-0 on the mound in victories over Toledo, May 11, and Northern Illinois, May 15. Throwing a total of 7.1 innings, he racked up seven strikeouts, allowing just two runs over his two appearances. Additionally, Meis aided in EMU's shutout of Toledo, May 11, marking the second shutout for Eastern in as many games, the first time that feat had been accomplished since the 2007 season. Those victories were part of a four-game personal win streak for Meis, the best of his career.
Should Meis decide to sign with the Pirates and forgo his remaining eligibility with Eastern Michigan, he will finish his stint in the Script E having tossed 152.1 innings over 32 appearances, and will finish with seven wins and 152 strikeouts (to just 66 walks).
For the most up-to-date information on Meis and the rest of the EMU baseball program, continue to visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMU_Baseball.
Meis is the sixth player from Eastern Michigan to be drafted into the Pirates organization, the first since Matt Skirving was selected in the 30th round in 2010.
Being selected in the 10th round, Meis is now the highest drafted player from Eastern Michigan since 2007, when Jeff Fischer was taken in the same round by the Colorado Rockies. Additionally, Meis is just the second collegiate player out of the State of Michigan to be selected in the 2021 MLB Draft thus far. He joins the University of Michigan's Steven Hajjar, who was taken in the second round by the Minnesota Twins.
For Eastern, 2021 marks MLB Draft selections in four of the last five seasons. 2020 was an oddity, as the draft was reduced to just five rounds as opposed to its usual 40 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 draft features 20 rounds, still significantly less than customary. EMU's four picks in the last five years is its most successful stretch of sending players to the next level in better than a decade; Five Eagles were drafted between 2007-09.
"I am incredibly excited for Justin to get drafted and have the ability to play professional baseball," said Head Coach Eric Roof. "He has worked so hard during his time at Eastern Michigan, and has accomplished so much. What is so exciting is that he still has even more potential for growth. He's got an extremely bright future and we are so proud of him."
An accomplished pitcher during his tenure with the Green and White, Meis has been an impact player for Roof's squad since arriving on campus for the 2019 season. He made 14 appearances, including 12 starts, as a true freshman and established himself as one of the team's weekend starters. The Pittsburgh native tossed a team-best 58.0 innings during his freshman campaign, racking up 42 strikeouts, which was third-most of any Eagle, and finished the season with three victories, a number that tied for first in the clubhouse. Meis was the only EMU freshman to earn a win in his debut season with the team.
The 2020 season, which was halted after just 14 games due to the pandemic, saw Meis make just four trips to the hill for a total of 20.2 innings. Still, he was able to dominate in his first start of the year, at Austin Peay, Feb. 15, going six innings and striking out 10 opposing hitters. Despite the shortened season, he still led EMU in innings pitched, strikeouts (29), and starts (4).
Back for his junior season in 2021, Meis helped lead Eastern Michigan to its best stretch of baseball in a decade when it went on a streak and won 10-of-11 contests. At one time, the team bested its opponents in seven-straight games, including five Mid-American Conference foes, which were both firsts since 2011. Overall, the team finished a much improved 21-30 overall (15-25 MAC).
Locked in all season, Meis made national headlines early in the season when he went eight scoreless against then-No. 3 Mississippi State, March 13, in Starkville, Miss. Although he ultimately took the loss in the contest via a ninth-inning comeback for the Bulldogs, Meis received a standing ovation from a capacity crowd at Dudy Noble Field. Mississippi State went on to win the College World Series just weeks ago.
EMU's most consistent presence on the bump, Meis finished the 2021 campaign with 14 appearances, and a career-high 13 starts. He again paced the Eagles with 73.2 innings pitched and 81 strikeouts, both career-best stats for the Steel City product. His ERA was a career-low 4.64 in 2021, and his career-best four wins tied for second among EMU players.
In addition to his on-field success, Meis was also named the MAC Co-Pitcher of the Week on April 17. Tossing the most innings by any Eagle over the preceding week, Meis went 2-0 on the mound in victories over Toledo, May 11, and Northern Illinois, May 15. Throwing a total of 7.1 innings, he racked up seven strikeouts, allowing just two runs over his two appearances. Additionally, Meis aided in EMU's shutout of Toledo, May 11, marking the second shutout for Eastern in as many games, the first time that feat had been accomplished since the 2007 season. Those victories were part of a four-game personal win streak for Meis, the best of his career.
Should Meis decide to sign with the Pirates and forgo his remaining eligibility with Eastern Michigan, he will finish his stint in the Script E having tossed 152.1 innings over 32 appearances, and will finish with seven wins and 152 strikeouts (to just 66 walks).
For the most up-to-date information on Meis and the rest of the EMU baseball program, continue to visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMU_Baseball.
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