MJ Melendez - Page 8 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Homers in nightcap Melendez went 2-for-7 with a solo home run across both games of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.

Impact Melendez started both games at catcher -- Salvador Perez (thumb) was hurt late in the first game while serving as the designated hitter. With Perez going on the injured list, Melendez could have a chance to be the Royals' primary backstop for at least a couple of weeks. The 23-year-old top prospect has two RBI, two runs scored, a homer and a double through 11 games, posting a .233/.324/.367 slash line, as it hasn't been a smooth adjustment to major-league pitching for him. His homer Tuesday was the first of his big-league career.

MAY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

MJ Melendez hits first HR, catches both games of Royals' doubleheader Kansas City Royals rookie catcher MJ Melendez caught both games of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium on May 1...

MAY 18, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Not starting Monday Melendez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.

Impact Melendez started five out of the Royals' first six games after he was called up in early May, but he's now been on the bench for four of the last six. He hasn't done much in a very small sample of 27 plate appearances, hitting .217/.333/.261. Salvador Perez starts behind the plate Monday while Hunter Dozier serves as the designated hitter.

MAY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Slips out of regular role Melendez is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies.

Impact It's the third straight game on the bench for Melendez, and the return of Carlos Santana (ankle) from the injured list is unlikely to help his playing time. However, Sebastian Rivero was optioned to the minors on Friday, so Melendez will continue to operate as the primary backup to starting catcher Salvador Perez.

MAY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Thursday's lineup Melendez will sit Thursday against Texas, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Melendez started five out of the Royals' first six games after he earned his first career call-up in early May, but the lefty-hitting rookie has now been on the bench for two in a row against left-handed starting pitchers. Sebastian Rivero will get the start behind the plate, while Salvador Perez serves as the designated hitter.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Wednesday Melendez isn't starting Wednesday against the Rangers.

Impact Melendez started in the last three games and went 3-for-10 with a double, an RBI, a walk and three strikeouts. Ryan O'Hearn will serve as the designated hitter while Kyle Isbel enters the starting nine in right field.

MAY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Moves behind plate Melendez will catch Brad Keller on Tuesday despite the fact that the Royals' original lineup had him playing in right field.

Impact The fact that the Royals are clearly open to Melendez playing the outfield is seemingly a good sign regarding their desire to get him in the lineup as often as possible, but he won't start there for now. He'll play his usual position of catcher while Salvador Perez serves as the designated hitter.

MAY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting in right field Melendez will bat sixth and play right field Tuesday against Texas, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Catcher is Melendez's natural position, but he'll have to find at-bats around the diamond for as long as Salvador Perez remains in Kansas City. Perez has shifted to the designated hitter spot three times in the six games since Melendez's arrival, with Melendez filling that spot once as well, but adding the ability to play the outfield will get Melendez even more paths to playing time.

MAY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Royals' MJ Melendez, in first taste of majors, takes advantage of Sal Perez's presence MJ Melendez caught games on both Sunday (as part of a doubleheader) and Monday in Baltimore after earning a call up to the big leagues

MAY 10, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Not in Friday's lineup Melendez is out of the lineup Friday against the Orioles, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Melendez made his first two major-league starts Tuesday and Wednesday and will take a seat after going 2-for-6 with a walk. The 23-year-old should continue to operate as Kansas City's No. 2 catcher with Cam Gallagher (hamstring) out, but he could also see some time at designated hitter since Carlos Santana (ankle) is on the shelf as well.

MAY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Royals' MJ Melendez praises his family for helping make his big-league dreams come true “I got goosebumps right away seeing them up there,” Royals rookie MJ Melendez said of his family being at his major-league debut.

MAY 4, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Debuting as designated hitter Melendez will make his major-league debut Tuesday against the Cardinals, batting seventh while serving as the designated hitter, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Melendez didn't get off to a great start this season, hitting .167/.286/.295 in 21 games for Triple-A Omaha, but his bat is supposed to be what carries his profile, as he hit .288/.386/.625 with 41 homers across the two highest levels of the minors last season. That should earn him some starts as the designated hitter, but he could also see time behind the plate when Salvador Perez fills the DH spot.

MAY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Royals bring prospect MJ Melendez to majors for first time Kansas City Royals prospect MJ Melendez received his first promotion to the majors prior to a makeup game against the St. Louis Cardinals at...

MAY 2, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

MJ Melendez describes 'emotional moment' of getting called up by Kansas City Royals The organization’s top hitting prospect and a power hitter, MJ Melendez will serve as the Royals’ backup catcher.

MAY 2, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Now that Melendez is here, how will Royals use him? ST. LOUIS -- When MJ Melendez went into the dugout in the bottom of the sixth inning of Triple-A Omaha’s game against the Mud Hens on Sund...

MAY 2, 2022 • MLB.COM

Top prospect Melendez poised for MLB debut KANSAS CITY -- The Royals’ top catching prospect and one of the top hitting prospects in baseball is expected to be called up to the Major L...

MAY 2, 2022 • MLB.COM

Royals catcher Cam Gallagher strains hamstring in loss to Yankees; MJ Melendez promoted Cam Gallagher’s hamstring strain paved the way for MJ Melendez to be promoted to the majors for the first time.

MAY 1, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Royals Call up No. 2 Prospect MJ Melendez The Kansas City Royals have officially recalled catcher MJ Melendez from Triple-A Omaha, and the No. 2 prospect in the organization could be...

MAY 1, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Called up by Royals Melendez was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Impact The 23-year-old is one of Kansas City's top prospects, but he failed to make the Opening Day roster this year. However, he'll now join the major-league roster for the first time after Cam Gallagher (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday. Melendez hit just .180 with two homers, seven runs, six RBI and three stolen bases over 20 games in Omaha to begin the year. Although Salvador Perez is the team's clear primary catcher, it wouldn't be surprising to see Perez log some at-bats as the designated hitter so Melendez can get some playing time against big-league competition.

MAY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

MLB 2022: J-Rod, Torkelson lead early Rookie of the Year contenders

On the eve of the 2022 season, Jake Mintz provides some new names fans will want to know in his list of ROY contenders.

APRIL 7, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

MLB 2022: J-Rod, Torkelson lead early Rookie of the Year contenders

Sent to minors Melendez was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Impact Despite standing out as one of Kansas City's top prospects, Melendez didn't make the cut for the Opening Day roster. He'll start the year at Triple-A Omaha, where he slashed .293/.413/.620 with 13 homers, 37 RBI and one stolen base over 44 games a season ago.

MARCH 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kansas City Royals' MJ Melendez puts power on display with pinch-hit homer Royals prospect MJ Melendez, last year’s minor-league home run champ, is looking to carry over his success into 2022.

MARCH 26, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Getting work at 3B Melendez got some work in at third base Tuesday and manager Mike Matheny has also praised his catching ability in recent days, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact The 23-year-old is 2-for-6 with two walks and one strikeout so far in big-league camp. Obviously Salvador Perez will get the bulk of the starts behind the dish for the Royals, but Melendez is a good enough hitting prospect that the team will look for ways to get his bat in the lineup this year. So far, third base and designated hitter seem like the most likely avenues along with catching when Perez is at DH or on the bench. Melendez seems likely to open the year at Triple-A, but he may not be there for long.

MARCH 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lexington Legends champions visit The K

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • FOX SPORTS

Earns 40-man roster spot Melendez was added to Kansas City's 40-man roster Friday.

Impact Few prospects improved their stock more than Melendez last season, as he hit 41 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A after a woeful run at High-A in 2019. Melendez can play third base and the outfield in addition to catching, but he may head back to Triple-A for the start of the 2022 season.

NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

MJ MELENDEZ NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

MLB 2022: J-Rod, Torkelson lead early Rookie of the Year contenders

Lexington Legends champions visit The K