Espinoza, Ockimey among top prospect performers Monday

Austin Meadows entered the home run column and enjoyed his best offensive performance of the season Monday as he went 3-for-3 with a three RBIs, two stolen bases and a walk in Double-A Altoona’s win against Bowie. The Pirates’ No. 2 prospect extended his hitting streak to eight games with the three-hit performance, which raised his batting average from .255 to .277.

Big things were expected from Meadows, MLBPipeline.com’s No. 16 overall prospect this year in his first full season at Altoona after he finished 2015 by going 9-for-25 over six games with the Curve at age 20. Instead, the now-21-year-old began the season on the disabled list after suffering an orbital fracture while playing catch with a teammate on March 9 during Spring Training.

The injury cost Meadows the first 17 games of the season, and he got off to a slow start upon returning, hitting .148/.213/.185 in his first 14 games. However, the 2013 No. 9 overall Draft pick has settled in at the plate to collect hits in eight straight games and 13 of his past 15 for the Curve, during which he owns a .426 average (20-for-47) with one home run, six doubles, three triples and 11 RBIs as well more walks (eight) than strikeouts (seven).

The rest of the best performances from top prospects Monday

• No. 1 overall prospect Lucas Giolito (Nationals’ No. 1) was solid once again as he tossed six innings and allowed one earned run in Double-A Harrisburg’s 3-2 win over Arkansas. He allowed three hits and walked four in the outing while matching his season high with six strikeouts. The 21-year-old righty has rounded into form this month, posting a 1.52 ERA in 23 2/3 innings across his last four starts.

• In his second game back at Triple-A Round Rock after a short stint in the big leagues, No. 9 overall prospect Joey Gallo (Rangers’ No. 1) went 3-for-3 with a solo home run to pace the Express in a win over Reno. The homer was Gallo’s ninth in 26 games for Round Rock, and he’s hitting .292/.443/.674 on the year.

• No. 34 overall prospect Anderson Espinoza (Red Sox’s No. 4) fired five one-hit innings in his second straight scoreless start for Class A Greenville. The 18-year-old right-hander struck out four but also walked a season-high …

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