MJ Melendez - Page 7 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Blasts homer in win Melendez went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Tuesday's 11-7 loss to the Orioles.

Impact Melendez took Tyler Wells deep in the first inning with a 401-foot shot to right center field as the Royals climbed out to a quick 3-0 lead. He was quieted the rest of the way at the plate and continued to show struggles. The 24-year-old is slashing .177/.266/.344 with three homers, 12 RBI, 10 runs and a 11:38 BB:K over 109 plate appearances. He is striking out 34.9 percent of the time which is currently the fourth-highest rate in Major League Baseball. Melendez showed his ability to hit for power upon being called up in 2022 with 18 homers in 129 games, and will need to get the power going some more in order to help offset the strikeouts.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Sunday Melendez is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Impact Melendez dealt with back trouble earlier in the week, but this appears to just be a day of rest for the 24-year-old. Nick Pratto is getting the start in right and hitting fifth.

APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Wednesday Melendez (back) will serve as the Royals' designated hitter and No. 3 batter Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Melendez will return to action after sitting out both of the Royals' last two games with lower-back tightness. He'll be eased back in a non-defensive role, but it shouldn't be long before Melendez is ready to catch or play the corner outfield.

APRIL 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Tuesday Melendez (back) isn't starting Tuesday against Arizona, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact After being removed from Sunday's loss to the Angels due to back tightness, Melendez has now missed two starts in right field. Hunter Dozier will take his place Tuesday and bat eighth.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Managing back tightness Melendez was removed from Sunday's game against the Angels due to lower-back tightness.

Impact Melendez clubbed a solo home run, his second of the season, during the opening frame Sunday, but he was lifted with the injury after the top of the fourth inning. The 24-year-old should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener against the Diamondbacks.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in three Wednesday Melendez went 2-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 10-1 win over the Rangers.

Impact Melendez did his damage early -- his two-run double in the second inning gave the Royals a lead they wouldn't give up. He added an RBI single in the fourth. The biggest concern with Melendez so far is his 39.6 percent strikeout rate over 48 plate appearances, which has suppressed his slash line to .190/.292/.333. He struck out at a 24.5 percent clip last year, and there's plenty of time for him to turn it around.

APRIL 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting breather Monday Melendez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

Impact After starting each of the past five games while going 3-for-19 with seven strikeouts, Melendez will get a rest as the Royals open a three-game set in Texas. Nate Eaton will cover right field in Melendez's stead.

APRIL 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting a breather Melendez is not in the Royals' lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Impact The Royals are facing a left-handed starter for the first time this season, so they're giving a few lefty hitters a day off. Nate Eaton is in right field and Franmil Reyes will be the designated hitter.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes yard in win Melendez went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, an additional run scored and a double in Monday's 9-5 win over the Blue Jays.

Impact After posting no runs over their first two games, Royals manager Matt Quatraro shuffled things up by putting Melendez atop the order for the last two contests. It finally worked Monday, with the 24-year-old adding a two-run blast in the sixth inning to cap the Royals' scoring in their first win of the year. He's still just 2-for-14 with eight strikeouts and three walks over four contests. Melendez hit just .217 last year, but he slugged .393 with 18 homers and 21 doubles, and it's the power potential that's most enticing.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will get most outfield reps in RF Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters before Monday's spring game that Melendez will see the majority of his outfield reps in right field to begin the year, Anne Rogers of ML...

Impact It was assumed by many that Melendez would see most of his outfield time in left, but instead the promising young hitter will be on the other side of the outfield for the majority of his time. Melednez is also expected to see time at designated hitter while also getting some time behind the plate. No matter the position, his power and likelihood to see plenty of time at the top of the order makes him an intriguing option for the 2023 campaign.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting well so far Melendez has gone 6-for-16 (.375) with three extra-base hits, six RBI, six runs scored, a stolen base and a 2:3 BB:K through six Cactus League games.

Impact Melendez should be able to find a near-everyday home in the Royals' lineup this season, with catcher and designated hitter likely his two most common spots. He showed off solid power in 2022 with 18 home runs in 129 contests while frequently playing in the corner outfield. While it's unwise to read too much into spring stats, the fact that he's making some consistent contact is encouraging -- he batted .217 with a 24.5 percent strikeout rate last year. If nothing else, his positional versatility could be attractive to fantasy managers, especially if he ends up playing more than most catcher-eligible players.

MARCH 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stolen base risers: MJ Melendez, Ian Happ and more beneficiaries of MLB's new rules Michael Salfino identifies five hitters who, thanks to the new MLB rule changes, could see a sneaky uptick in stolen bases.

MARCH 6, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

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FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

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KC Royals may be exploring options at catcher behind veteran Sal Perez and MJ Melendez The Royals need to decide how much of a factor MJ Melendez will be behind the plate.

OCTOBER 19, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

KC Royals' MJ Melendez had a unique rookie season, forced his way into daily lineup The plan wasn’t to bring Melendez up in May. Once he arrived, he made the Royals come up with new plans.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Posts three hits Melendez went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Sunday's 7-5 loss to the Guardians.

Impact Melendez was solid atop the Royals' order, and he contributed an RBI single in the eighth inning as the team tried to claw back from a deficit. The rookie has hit safely in four of his last five games, contributing a home run, three doubles, three RBI and three runs scored while going 7-for-19 in that span. For the season, he's up to a .224/.321/.405 slash line with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, 57 runs scored and two stolen bases through 126 contests.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies 18th homer Melendez went 1-for-3 with two walks and a solo home run Wednesday against the Tigers.

Impact Melendez took Will Vest deep to lead off the game for his 18th homer of the season. Melendez now has three home runs across his last seven starts, though he's gone hitless on four occasions in that span. Through 503 career plate appearances, Melendez owns a .314 wOBA and 101 wRC+.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Melendez homers again, displaying 'special talent' DETROIT -- MJ Melendez wasn’t wasting any time. Two hours after describing his approach to Tigers scheduled starter Matt Manning as “he like...

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • MLB.COM

Deep blast in win Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Minnesota.

Impact Melendez led off the first inning with a home run off righty starter Bailey Ober to open the scoring. During his last five games, the catcher has recorded a .850 slugging percentage over 20 at-bats with five RBI and home runs in back-to-back games.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores four runs in win Melendez went 3-for-5 with two RBI, four runs scored and a steal in Saturday's victory over the Red Sox.

Impact Melendez singled home Nate Eaton in the third inning of Saturday's contest, then picked up another RBI in the sixth when Michael Massey scored on the catcher's groundout. Melendez reached home on four singles, including one from Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt and two from Vinnie Pasquantino. Melendez also swiped a bag, his second of the season. This three-hit outing was arguably his best performance of the season and gives him hits in back-to-back games. Melendez's batting average is now up to .222 after the stellar outing.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Receiving day off Melendez is out of the lineup Thursday against the Rays.

Impact Melendez will get a much-needed day off after he started 23 of the team's previous 24 games. While moving between both corner-outfield spots, catcher and designated hitter, Melendez should continue to hold down a full-time spot in the lineup as Kansas City's leadoff man. However, the Royals will turn to fellow rookie Michael Massey as their table setter Thursday, while Melendez gets a chance to rest after going 0-for-18 with five walks over his previous six games.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch Sunday Manager Mike Matheny said Melendez was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Dodgers in order to "give another player an opportunity," Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 23-year-old was penciled in to bat leadoff in Sunday's series finale, but he instead came off the bench in favor of Nate Eaton. It's good news Melendez isn't dealing with an injury, but Matheny's post-game comments aren't exactly encouraging. Melendez has an .805 OPS with four home runs, 13 RBI and eight runs through 13 games in August.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Late scratch Sunday Melendez was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Dodgers for undisclosed reasons.

Impact The 23-year-old was slated to start in left field and bat leadoff, but he was instead scratched from the lineup about an hour before first pitch. It's unclear if Melendez is dealing with an injury or if manager Mike Matheny simply opted for a late lineup change. Nate Eaton has entered the starting nine in Melendez's place.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Three hits including homer Melendez went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

Impact Melendez delivered a monster performance Wednesday, delivering a go-ahead solo home run off Jake Diekman in the bottom of the seventh inning before ripping an RBI single in the following frame and coming around to score on a Salvador Perez base knock. He also had another single and a walk earlier in the contest. The rookie has gone 9-for-25 with four homers, 12 RBI and six runs over his last seven games.

AUGUST 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Royals rookie Melendez delivers in 8-3 win over White Sox

MJ Melendez hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning to send the Kansas City Royals past the Chicago White Sox 8-3

AUGUST 11, 2022 • Associated Press

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Royals rookie Melendez delivers in 8-3 win over White Sox