2022 Stats
AVG
.217
HR
18
RBI
62
R
57
SB
2
2023 Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Melendez gets a passing grade, offensively. As a 23-year-old rookie, he popped 18 home runs and drew 66 walks in 534 plate appearances, putting him roughly league average by wRC+. It's defensively where the questions come up. Melendez struggled behind the plate both defensively (-18 DRS) and with pitch framing. Salvador Perez is still locked in as the near-everyday catcher when healthy, so Melendez will likely see most of his time in the outfield to begin 2023. He's not a finished product with the bat, but the 2021 minor-league home run leader clears the bar in two-catcher leagues. The defensive questions leave open some playing-time downside, but the rebuilding Royals would be wise to live with his limitations and hand Melendez 500-plus PA again to evaluate his progress against big-league pitching. Read Past Outlooks

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 MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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.
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.
Batting Stats
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2022
2022 MLB Game Log
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Minor League Game Log

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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
54
3
8
18
6
6
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
10
1
11
2
5
Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2020
+26%
OPS vs LHP
2022
+26%
OPS vs LHP
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2020vs Left | .839 | 126 | 4 | 14 | .295 | ||||
Since 2020vs Right | .664 | 408 | 14 | 48 | .193 | ||||
2022vs Left | .839 | 126 | 4 | 14 | .295 | ||||
2022vs Right | .664 | 408 | 14 | 48 | .193 | ||||
2021vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2021vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2020vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2020vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2020
+6%
OPS at Home
2022
+6%
OPS at Home
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2020Home | .727 | 270 | 11 | 41 | .229 | ||||
Since 2020Away | .684 | 264 | 7 | 21 | .205 | ||||
2022Home | .727 | 270 | 11 | 41 | .229 | ||||
2022Away | .684 | 264 | 7 | 21 | .205 | ||||
2021Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2021Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2020Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2020Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Stat Review
How does MJ Melendez compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.50BB Rate
12.4%K Rate
24.5%BABIP
.258ISO
.176AVG
.217OBP
.313SLG
.393OPS
.706wOBA
.312Exit Velocity
90.7 mphHard Hit Rate
35.4%Barrels/PA
6.6%Expected BA
.237Expected SLG
.410Sprint Speed
23.5 ft/secGround Ball %
39.0%Line Drive %
20.2%Fly Ball %
40.8%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2019
Melendez bounced back from a horrific showing at High-A in 2019 (39.4 K%) to lead the minors with 41 home runs while hitting .288/.386/.625 in 123 games at Double-A and Triple-A. He had a great 39.2 Hard% along with a 14.1 BB% and a 21.7 K%. Melendez always had plus raw power, but he overhauled his swing and stance, which was the cause of his surprise resurgence. With Salvador Perez locked in as the Royals' primary catcher, Melendez is expected to get work at third base and the corner outfield spots at Triple-A, where his 70-grade arm could still add value. Kansas City has a lot of hitters vying for playing time at those positions and designated hitter this upcoming season, so it's unclear when he will be given a look as an everyday player in the majors. His power should translate whenever he gets his shot, and he should eventually make enough contact to hit for a passable batting average. The key to his long-term fantasy value will be for him to get enough starts at catcher to retain that eligibility, which could lead to him being one of the leaders in plate appearances for catcher-eligible players, assuming he is playing other positions when he is not catching.
More Fantasy News

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.
ANALYSIS
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Posts three hits
Melendez went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Sunday's 7-5 loss to the Guardians.
ANALYSIS
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Tallies 18th homer
Melendez went 1-for-3 with two walks and a solo home run Wednesday against the Tigers.
ANALYSIS
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Deep blast in win
Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Minnesota.
ANALYSIS
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Crushes homer in win
Melendez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Twins.
ANALYSIS
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