Mj Melendez
YEARTEAMGABRHitsRBIDTHRBBSOSBCSEAVGOBPSLUG
2023Mariners711331100340000.2730.4290.364
2024Mariners246481856036120000.2810.3430.516
2025Mariners15492752012140000.1430.1760.245
MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
Apr 19 2025The Royals optioned Melendez to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has logged just one base hit across his last seven games and only three since the beginning of April. He'll now head to the minors in order to sort things out at the plate, making room on the active roster for Mark Canha (hip) to return from the IL.
Apr 18 2025Melendez is not in the Royals' starting lineup against the Tigers on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez will sit for a second straight game while Drew Waters starts in left field and bats eighth against Tigers right-hander Jackson Jobe. Melendez has gone 1-for-20 with a solo home run and eight strikeouts over his last five games.
Apr 17 2025Melendez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Detroit. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Right-hander Reese Olson is on the bump for the Tigers, but the lefty-hitting Melendez will grab a seat. Drew Waters will start in left field and bat eighth for the Royals.
Apr 15 2025Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez entered Tuesday's game with a .285 OPS, 36.4 strikeout rate and zero RBI across 44 plate appearances, but he managed to get the Royals on the board with a solo homer off Max Fried in the third inning. Melendez's early-season play has put him in jeopardy of losing out on his starting role, but Tuesday's homer may be a sign of things to come for the Royals and the 26-year-old outfielder.
Apr 14 2025Melendez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Royals will move both of their struggling corner outfielders to the bench Monday, as Melendez (.285 OPS, 36.4 percent strikeout rate in 44 plate appearances) and Hunter Renfroe (.363 OPS, 27.9 percent strikeout rate in 43 plate appearances) give way to Drew Waters and Cavan Biggio in left and right field, respectively. Melendez's track record at the big-league level will likely buy him some time to work his way out of the extended slump, though his grasp on an everyday role has loosened since the beginning of the season. He's now started in just three of the Royals' last six games.
Apr 9 2025Melendez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Royals often shield the left-handed-hitting Melendez from opposing southpaws, but he'll take a seat Wednesday while the Twins send a right-hander (Joe Ryan) to the hill. Melendez's move to the bench comes while he's gotten off to a horrid start to the season, slashing .115/.258/.154 with a 38.7 percent strikeout rate over 31 plate appearances. If Melendez is unable to turn things around soon, he could find himself out of the lineup versus righties on a more consistent basis.
Apr 6 2025Melendez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez and fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder Kyle Isbel will head to the bench for the series finale while the Orioles send southpaw Cade Povich to the bump. The Royals will roll out a starting outfield of Mark Canha, Maikel Garcia and Hunter Renfroe from left to right.
Apr 2 2025Melendez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Milwaukee. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Royals have faced all right-handers so far this season and Melendez has now been in the lineup for four of six contests. He will yield left field to Cavan Biggio, who is batting seventh in Wednesday's game.
Mar 30 2025Melendez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts in the first two games of the year and will sit for Sunday's series finale. Jonathan India will move out to left field against Cleveland righty Tanner Bibee.
Feb 19 2025Melendez said Tuesday that he spent the offseason in Miami revamping his swing during workouts, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Specifically, Melendez has adjusted his positioning at the plate, decreased his leg kick and demonstrated a more balanced stance in the batter's box. Melendez is hopeful that the change will simplify his movements and allow him to be more consistent at the plate, after he struck out at a 25.1 percent clip and slashed a career-worst .206/.273/.400 in 450 plate appearances a season ago. Melendez doesn't believe the adjustment will result in him sacrificing power, which was his main calling card during his minor-league career and through his first three seasons in the majors. The lefty-hitting Melendez should be poised to open the 2025 campaign as a strong-side platoon player in left field, though after catching in 10 games in 2023, he will no longer carry eligibility at catcher in any fantasy league since he didn't see any action behind the plate in 2024.
Jan 9 2025The Royals and Melendez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.65 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez regressed in 2024 with just a .674 OPS over 135 games. The Royals will start off 2025 playing him regularly at least versus right-handers, but with the playoffs in mind they might not have as much patience with Melendez if he can't take some strides.
Oct 7 2024Melendez is absent from the lineup Monday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's southpaw Carlos Rodon on the hill for the Yankees, so the left-handed-hitting Melendez will begin the festivities on the bench. Tommy Pham will be in left field and batting seventh for the Royals, while Hunter Renfroe will handle right and hit eighth.
Sep 27 2024Melendez is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Royals are facing a left-hander -- Max Fried -- for the fifth game in a row, and the left-handed-hitting Melendez has been on the bench for four of them. Tommy Pham is in left field and batting leadoff.
Sep 26 2024Melendez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's left-hander Patrick Corbin on the bump for the Nationals, so the lefty-swinging Melendez will begin the game on the bench. Tommy Pham is playing left field and batting leadoff for the Royals.
Sep 24 2024Melendez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-handed hitting Melendez will yield to Tommy Pham in left field as southpaw Mitchell Parker toes the rubber for the Nationals. Melendez has been out of the lineup all four times the Royals have faced a lefty this month.
Sep 22 2024Melendez is not in the lineup for Sunday's contest against the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With left-hander Blake Snell toeing the rubber for the Giants, the lefty-swinging Melendez will begin the festivities on the bench. Tommy Pham will occupy left field for the Royals.
Sep 18 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Melendez will unsurprisingly take a seat in the series finale while the Tigers send ace southpaw Tarik Skubal to the bump. Tommy Pham will fill in for Melendez in left field.
Sep 15 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez is sitting Sunday for the second time in three games despite the fact right-hander Jared Jones is starting for Pittsburgh. Tommy Pham will shift to left field while Adam Frazier receives a start in right.
Sep 13 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Despite right-hander Luis Ortiz taking the mound for Pittsburgh, the lefty-hitting Melendez will retreat to the bench. It'll be Melendez's first time out of the lineup against a right-handed pitcher since Aug. 4. Tommy Pham, Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe fill the outfield from left to right.
Sep 9 2024Melendez is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez will begin Monday's contest on the bench with the Yankees sending left-hander Carlos Rodon to the mound. Tommy Pham, Garrett Hampson and Hunter Renfroe will make up the Royals' starting outfield in the series opener.
Sep 7 2024Melendez went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 5-0 win over the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has started to slump again, going 4-for-27 (.148) over his last nine games. He has just one extra-base hit as well as a 4:7 BB:K in that span. The outfielder hit .311 in August, but if his bat stays cold, he could face extra pressure for playing time from Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman, the two players the Royals added via waivers at the end of August. Melendez is at a .212/.272/.416 slash line with 17 home runs, four steals, 43 RBI and 42 runs scored over 404 plate appearances while mostly serving as a strong-side platoon option in the corner outfield.
Aug 30 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With lefty Framber Valdez on the mound for Houston, Melendez will yield to Dairon Blanco in left field. Melendez is 7-for-22 (.318) with a pair of homers in his last six games.
Aug 27 2024Melendez went 4-for-9 with a three-run home run across both games of Monday's doubleheader sweep over the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez's three-run blast came in the matinee, accounting for three of the Royals' four runs in that win. He wasn't directly involved in run production in the nightcap, but he logged his first three-hit game since July 12 in that contest. Melendez is batting .339 (20-for-59) over 20 games in August, lifting his slash line up to .216/.274/.433 with 17 homers, 43 RBI, 38 runs scored and three stolen bases over 109 contests. He needs two more homers to establish a career high.
Aug 26 2024Melendez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a double in Sunday's 11-3 loss to the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has gone 13-for-41 (.317) with three homers and three doubles over his last 14 games. It's one of his most successful stretches of the campaign, as he has found more consistency at the plate as a platoon player. The outfielder has matched his homer total from last year (16) while adding 40 RBI, 37 runs scored, 19 doubles, two triples, three stolen bases and a .210/.269/.423 slash line through 107 contests.
Aug 24 2024Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup Saturday against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-handed bat of Melendez will take a seat Saturday as southpaw Ranger Suarez prepares to start for Philadelphia. Dairon Blanco will fill the opening in left field and bat eighth.
Aug 22 2024Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has hit safely in 11 of 15 games in August, and two of those hitless efforts came as a pinch hitter. He's batting .310 with three homers, eight RBI, seven runs scored, three doubles and a stolen base this month. A move to a strong-side platoon role has helped Melendez be more effective, though he still has a .206/.267/.412 slash line for the year. He's added 15 homers, 39 RBI, 35 runs scored and three stolen bases over 352 plate appearances. While the surface numbers are poor, Melendez's .233 BABIP for the year also indicates some bad luck is in play.
Aug 20 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: As per usual, Melendez will head to the bench against a left-handed pitcher (Tyler Anderson). Dairon Blanco, Garrett Hampson and Hunter Renfroe fill the outfield from left to right.
Aug 18 2024Melendez is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With the Reds sending southpaw Andrew Abbott to the mound, the lefty-hitting Melendez will sit for the second straight game. Dairon Blanco will start in left field and bat ninth.
Aug 17 2024Melendez is not in Saturday's lineup against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He'll head to the bench with lefty Nick Lodolo on the hill for Cincinnati. The lefty-hitting Melendez may also sit Sunday with Andrew Abbott slated to start for the Reds.
Aug 14 2024Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 13-3 loss to the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has gone 9-for-24 (.375) with two homers, one stolen base and six RBI over eight contests in August. His improved numbers may be a result of being more strictly platooned to avoid left-handed pitchers. The power-hitting outfielder is up to 14 homers, 37 RBI, 34 runs scored, three stolen bases and a .205/.267/.410 slash line through 333 plate appearances this season.
Aug 10 2024Melendez went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez posted his second multi-hit effort in a row Saturday. The outfielder swiped a bag after his first single of the game, but he wasn't able to repeat the feat later, getting caught on his second steal attempt. He's not a particularly speedy player with just three steals on six attempts this season. Melendez has added a .203/.267/.400 slash line with 13 home runs, 36 RBI and 32 runs scored over 95 contests. He's been getting platooned in left field lately, with Dairon Blanco and Garrett Hampson combining to cover the position versus southpaws.
Aug 5 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Boston. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With the Royals facing a left-hander (James Paxton) for a second consecutive day, Melendez will take a seat on the bench once again Monday. Garrett Hampson, Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe will fill out the Kansas City outfield from left to right.
Aug 4 2024Melendez hit a three-run home run as a pinch hitter in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez erased a two-run deficit when he took Shelby Miller deep in the ninth inning, and Hunter Harvey was able to close out the win for the Royals. While this was a positive moment, Melendez has been on the bench to begin three of Kansas City's four games in August. He has five homers over his last 12 contests, accounting for half of his 10 hits over 43 at-bats in that span. The outfielder is up to 13 long balls, 34 RBI, 29 runs scored, 15 doubles, two triples and two stolen bases through 310 plate appearances. If Melendez continues to lose playing time, Dairon Blanco or Garrett Hampson are options to fill larger roles.
Aug 2 2024Melendez is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Detroit. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez didn't start Thursday against a right-hander and will now begin Friday's contest on the bench as the Tigers send southpaw Tarik Skubal to the hill. Dairon Blanco will patrol left field.
Aug 1 2024Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup for Thursday's game versus Detroit. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has gone 2-for-18 with two RBI in four games since returning from the injured list, and he'll get a chance to regroup Thursday while Garrett Hampson starts in left field.
Jul 29 2024Melendez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Monday's 8-5 win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This was Melendez's second game back from a minimum stay on the injured list due to an ankle sprain. The outfielder went 0-for-4 versus the Cubs on Sunday in his return. He's homered four times over his last eight games. Melendez is up to 12 homers, 30 RBI, 27 runs scored and two stolen bases while slashing .197/.259/.398 through 87 contests this year. While he's never been one to carry a high average, he could generate some fantasy value if he can continue to tap into his power.
Jul 28 2024The Royals reinstated Melendez (ankle) from the 10-day injured list Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez landed on the injured list July 16 after spraining his left ankle two days earlier against the Red Sox. He didn't need an extended stay on the IL, and he made three rehab outings with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, going 1-for-9 with one home run, two RBI and three runs scored. Prior to his injury, Melendez was slashing .303/.343/.667 with three home runs and five RBI over 34 plate appearances in July. He will start in left field and bat sixth in Sunday's series finale against the Cubs.
Jul 25 2024Melendez (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez sprained his left ankle July 14 and was placed on the injured list over the All-Star break, but he's ready for game action a week and a half later. Given the brevity of his absence, Melendez may need just one rehab game before getting the green light to rejoin the Royals, perhaps as soon as this weekend's series versus the Cubs. Whenever he's activated, Melendez should settle back in as the Royals' primary left fielder against right-handed pitching.
Jul 24 2024Melendez (ankle) was spotted running on the field at Kauffman Stadium prior to Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ten days after spraining his left ankle before he landed on the injured list over the All-Star break, Melendez appears to be making great strides in his recovery. In addition to running the bases, Melendez has also been able to take swings in the batting cage and take part in defensive drills this week. The Royals are expected to re-evaluate Melendez on Thursday and determine whether he's fit to return from the IL during this weekend's three-game series with the Cubs, or if he'll first need to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment.
Jul 16 2024Melendez (ankle) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to July 15. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez suffered a sprained left ankle during Sunday's game against the Red Sox and the injury will require an IL stint. The 25-year-old will miss at least the Royals' first six games coming out of the All-Star break and is eligible to return July 26. While Melendez is sidelined, Dairon Blanco and Garrett Hampson should see action in left field.
Jul 14 2024Melendez was removed in the top of the fourth inning of Sunday's game against the Red Sox due to a left ankle sprain. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez went hitless with an RBI in two at-bats on the afternoon and appeared to suffer the injury while he was running out a groundball. Though he reached base on a fielder's choice, Melendez was immediately lifted for a pinch runner. The severity of the ankle sprain isn't known, but Melendez could be sent in for an MRI over the All-Star break if the Royals fear that the injury is more than a minor concern.
Jul 12 2024Melendez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 6-1 win over the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has turned the corner a bit with three homers over his last four games. The slugger is up to 11 long balls this year, though he remains at a lackluster .196/.259/.392 slash line through 83 contests. Melendez has added 28 RBI, 26 runs scored, two stolen bases, 14 doubles and two triples. Despite his struggles at the plate, he's still the Royals' primary left fielder.
Jul 10 2024Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in an 8-5 win over the Cardinals in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez also went 1-for-4 with a double and one RBI in a 6-4 win in the matinee. The outfielder is off to a good start in July, going 7-for-24 (.292) over his first seven contests of the month. For the season, he's posted a .191/.255/.379 slash line with 10 homers, 27 RBI, 24 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples and two stolen bases over 278 plate appearances. Melendez's struggles at the plate have cost him some playing time versus southpaws, but he's not strictly in a platoon role.
Jul 8 2024Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 10-1 win over the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez ended a 17-game homer drought with his seventh-inning blast Sunday. The outfielder hit .271 with five doubles but just one RBI during his power drought. Despite the recent improvements at the plate, Melendez is still slashing a poor .190/.256/.367 with nine homers, 25 RBI, 22 runs scored and two stolen bases over 80 contests this season.
Jul 5 2024Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Melendez will retreat to the dugout Friday as left-handed starter Kyle Freeland starts on the bump for Colorado. Dairon Blanco, Garrett Hampson and Hunter Renfroe will make up the Royals' outfield while Melendez rests.
Jul 3 2024Melendez went 3-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez accounted for half of the Royals' hits in the loss. This was his second multi-hit effort in the last three games, but he went just 3-for-19 over a seven-game stretch prior to his recent rebound. The outfielder continues to struggle overall with a .191/.258/.366 slash line, eight home runs, 24 RBI, 21 runs scored and two stolen bases through 256 plate appearances in a strong-side platoon role.
Jun 30 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez will sit against Cleveland lefty Logan Allen on Sunday, ending a stretch of 11 straight starts during which he posted a .688 OPS. Dairon Blanco will man left field and bat ninth in the series finale.
Jun 18 2024Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup for Tuesday's game versus Oakland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The A's will send Hogan Harris to the mound to begin Tuesday's contest, so the left-handed bat of Melendez will remain on the bench to begin the game. Garrett Hampson will fill the opening in left field while batting eighth.
Jun 16 2024Melendez went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in Saturday's win over the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez put the Royals on top with a two-out grand slam in the top of the sixth, drawing 12 pitches in the at-bat before jumping on a hanging cutter from Blake Treinen. The 25-year-old also recorded an infield single earlier in the contest, giving him his first multi-hit effort since May 10 against the Angels. Melendez is batting just .152 in June, and Saturday marked the first time this month in which he's strung together hits in back-to-back contests. On a positive note, he now has three homers in his last eight games to go along with 10 RBI and four runs scored.
Jun 13 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: For the third time in the last four contests, the Royals' lineup card hasn't included Melendez, who is amidst a 7-for-75 freefall at the dish dating back to May 11. Dairon Blanco will cover left field Thursday while Melendez takes a seat.
Jun 12 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Royals have already scaled back the lefty-hitting Melendez's playing time against southpaws, but he'll take a seat against right-hander Cody Poteet on Wednesday, opening up a start in left field for Garrett Hampson. Since producing a season-high three hits May 10 against the Angels, Melendez has gone 7-for-75 (.093 average) over the past month of action.
Jun 10 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After starting in each of the Royals' last four games while the opposition brought right-handed starters to the hill for every contest, the lefty-hitting Melendez will exit the lineup while southpaw Carlos Rodon takes the hill for the Yankees. Melendez has logged just 33 plate appearances versus lefties this season and is slashing .156/.182/.156 in those matchups.
Jun 9 2024Melendez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 6-5 extra-inning loss versus the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has just three hits over his last 10 games, but all of them have been homers. His blast Sunday tied the game at 3-3 in the ninth inning. Melendez is up to seven homers this season, but he's taken a step back overall with a .165/.228/.346 slash line through 197 plate appearances on the year. He's added 19 RBI, 17 runs scored and two stolen bases, and he's still seeing a majority of the playing time in left field despite his poor hitting.
Jun 7 2024Melendez went 1-for-3 with a homer, a walk and four RBI in Friday's win against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez blasted a 406-foot, three-run homer off Bryce Miller in the fourth inning before adding another RBI via a groundout in the sixth. This marks the 25-year-old's second four-RBI game of the season, with the first coming April 19. Hopefully Melendez can build upon this performance, as he entered the contest hitting a ghastly .111 (5-for-45) with 13 strikeouts over his last 15 games.
Jun 4 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez will get the day off Tuesday after making five consecutive starts in left for the Royals. Instead, Adam Frazier will fill left field and bat seventh.
May 30 2024Melendez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez's fourth-inning blast gave the Royals a 4-0 lead before things turned south for them in the middle innings. May has been a rough month for Melendez, who has gone 12-for-69 (.174) with six extra-base hits over 23 contests in the month. His previous homer was April 19, and he now has five long balls on the year to go with 13 RBI, 14 runs scored, two stolen bases and a poor .176/.238/.346 slash line through 50 games. Melendez is in a strong-side platoon role, though Garrett Hampson has started to get more looks versus righties amid Melendez's lengthy slump.
May 28 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Despite Kansas City facing a right-hander Tuesday, Melendez will miss the Royals starting nine. Instead, Garrett Hampson will play left field and bat eighth.
May 24 2024Melendez is not in the lineup for Friday's game against Tampa Bay. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 25-year-old outfielder will begin the game in the dugout for the second straight contest as southpaw Tyler Alexander is expected to follow opener Shawn Armstrong for the Rays. Melendez has struggled to get his bat going this year, slashing .179/.232/.345 with 12 RBI, and he's gone 3-for-19 in his last five games. Nelson Velazquez will move to left field in place of Melendez and bat seventh.
May 22 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Melendez will head to the bench for the series finale while the Tigers bring ace southpaw Tarik Skubal to the bump. Nelson Velazquez will spell Melendez in left field.
May 19 2024Melendez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Melendez will get a break as Oakland puts JP Sears on the mound. Dairon Blanco will get the start in left field and bat seventh with Garrett Hampson in center field and Hunter Renfroe in right.
May 12 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Royals will stock up some extra right-handed bats to counter Angels southpaw Patrick Sandoval, so the lefty-hitting Melendez will head to the bench for the series finale. Dairon Blanco will replace Melendez in left field.
May 10 2024Melendez went 3-for-4 with a triple in Friday's 2-1 win over the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez hasn't been able to string good games together, but he's 7-for-24 (.292) over eight games in May. The outfielder was able to get aboard in the ninth inning before Garrett Hampson entered as a pinch runner and scored on Adam Frazier's home run. Melendez is up to a .202/.260/.395 slash line with four homers, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, six doubles, two triples and two stolen bases through 123 plate appearances. Melendez continues to be an anchor for batting average in fantasy, but he's still got intriguing power in formats where he's still catcher-eligible despite not playing behind the dish this season.
May 9 2024Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup Thursday against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lefty Reid Detmers will start on the mound for Los Angeles, sending the left-handed bat of Melendez into Kansas City's dugout for the beginning of the game. Dairon Blanco will instead serve as the Royals' left fielder and bat eighth.
May 5 2024Melendez went 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This was Melendez's first multi-hit effort since April 19 -- he went 2-for-36 over the previous 12 contests. The 25-year-old started the year hot, batting .325 over his first 12 games, but he's since returned to his career norms. He's slashing a poor .186/.252/.363 with four home runs, two steals, 12 RBI, nine runs scored and six doubles over 111 plate appearances. Despite the poor batting, Melendez is still seeing a majority of the playing time in left field, keeping Nelson Velazquez at designated hitter and Dairon Blanco on the bench.
Apr 28 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After he surprisingly found himself on the bench Saturday against right-hander Casey Mize, the lefty-hitting Melendez's absence from the lineup Sunday is more expected with ace southpaw Tarik Skubal starting for Detroit. Melendez still looks to have a hold on a strong-side platoon role in the Kansas City outfield, though his grip on a regular job may be loosening in the wake of his poor start to the season. He enters Sunday's contest slashing .198/.278/.407 on the campaign through 90 plate appearances.
Apr 27 2024Melendez is not in the Royals' starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has gone 0-for-12 over his last four starts, reaching base once on a walk over that span. Dairon Blanco will start in left field and bat eighth against Tigers right-hander Casey Mize.
Apr 22 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With lefty Yusei Kikuchi on the bump for Toronto, the Royals will stock up on some extra right-handed bats. Dairon Blanco and Garrett Hampson will both pick up starts in the outfield while Melendez and fellow lefty-hitting regular Kyle Isbel hit the bench.
Apr 20 2024Melendez went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and scored twice during Friday's 9-4 victory against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez's RBI single drove in the first of what would become a five-run sixth inning for Kansas City, and his three-run blast in the seventh ensured the Orioles wouldn't come from behind to steal the victory. The 25-year-old's performance Friday broke an 0-for-18 stretch at the plate that spanned five games, though he still boasts an .845 OPS on the year despite the cold streak.
Apr 13 2024Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With left-hander Sean Manaea set to toe the slab for New York, the left-handed bat of Melendez will begin Saturday's game in the dugout. Dairon Blanco will cover left field in Melendez's absence and bat ninth.
Apr 8 2024Melendez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-3 win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez got the start at designated hitter with Nelson Velazquez in left field against White Sox southpaw Garrett Crochet. Melendez didn't find any success against Crochet, but he was able to take righty reliever Deivi Garcia deep for a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning. With three homers over his last four games, Melendez is off to a great start this season. He's added eight RBI, five runs scored and four doubles over 34 plate appearances, and his presence in the lineup against a southpaw suggests he has at least a path to more than a strong-side platoon role.
Apr 7 2024Melendez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 3-0 win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez, who has been the Royals' primary left fielder so far, got his first start in right field this season with Hunter Renfroe resting Saturday. It took until the seventh inning, but Melendez took White Sox starter Chris Flexen deep to give the Royals all the offense they'd need in the win. Through eight contests, Melendez is batting .321 with two homers, six RBI, four runs scored and four doubles over 31 plate appearances. He is a fixture in the lineup against right-handed pitchers, but it's still unclear how often he'll play against southpaws since the Royals have faced just one lefty through nine contests overall. Melendez was on the bench for that game.
Apr 6 2024Melendez went 1-for-3 with one RBI and a walk in Friday's 2-1 win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez stepped up with an RBI single in the eighth inning to bring home the decisive run. He's hitting well to begin 2024, going 8-for-24 with a home run, four doubles, four RBI and three runs scored. He's also displayed better plate discipline with a 3:5 BB:K. Melendez's power has rarely been in question, and it can only help if he can cut down on the whiffs. It appears he's on the strong side of a platoon in left field, as he sat out the one game the Royals faced a southpaw this season, though he could eventually push toward a full-time role if his bat stays hot. Nelson Velazquez has typically been the designated hitter, but he started in left when Melendez was on the bench.
Apr 4 2024Melendez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double and an additional run scored in Thursday's 10-1 victory over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez delivered the final blow in the Royals' eight-run seventh inning, blasting a two-run, 421-foot homer off Dominic Leone to extend Kansas City's lead to 10-1. It's the first long ball of the year for the 25-year-old Melendez though he's gotten off to a nice start, going 7-for-21 with five extra-base hits through his first six games. Melendez slashed .235/.316/.398 with 16 homers, 56 RBI and 65 runs scored across 148 games last season.
Apr 2 2024Melendez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game at Baltimore. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Royals are facing their first left-handed starting pitcher of the season as Cole Irvin takes the mound for the Orioles, and Melendez will also head to the bench. Nelson Velazquez will man left field wile Salvador Perez serves as the designated hitter.
Mar 3 2024Melendez has gone 3-for-11 over his first five Cactus League games. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez will focus on the outfield in 2024, projecting as the starting left fielder, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Melendez has yet to put all of his tools together over his first two big-league seasons. He's hit 34 home runs and added 118 RBI over 277 contests, but he slashed just .235/.316/.398 last season. While Melendez's spot on the field is secure, any prolonged slump could open the door for Drew Waters -- who can play at all three outfield spots -- to get more of a look.
Jan 7 2024Melendez is slated to play primarily in the outfield in 2024, Jaylon Thompson of the Kansas City Star reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez played primarily behind the dish in 2022 but started just 10 games at catcher last season. His production remained relatively steady, as he slashed .235/.316/.398 with 16 homers, 65 runs and 56 RBI over 148 games. The 25-year-old isn't expected to spend time at catcher in 2024, although it's unclear whether his more consistent role on defense will translate to better results at the plate.
Oct 1 2023Melendez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez was marginally better over the final month of the season, going 18-for-69 (.261) with four homers over his last 22 contests of the season. His playing time dipped a bit in the last couple of weeks, but that may have been a product of the Royals auditioning other players late in the campaign. Melendez closed 2023 with a .235/.316/.398 slash line, 16 long balls, 56 RBI, 65 runs scored, six stolen bases, 29 doubles and five triples over 148 games. A natural catcher, he focused on the outfield from May on to make progress with his hitting, which has been rather modest through two big-league seasons.
Sep 29 2023Melendez is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Yankees are throwing southpaw Carlos Rodon, so the left-handed hitting MJ Melendez will begin Friday's proceedings on the bench. Edward Olivares will get a start in left field while Nick Loftin handles designated hitter duties.
Sep 27 2023Melendez is out of the lineup Wednesday at Detroit. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez takes a seat after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the Royals' loss to the Tigers on Tuesday. Dairon Blanco, Drew Waters and Nelson Velazquez are starting across the outfield Wednesday.
Sep 24 2023Melendez isn't starting Sunday against Houston. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has gone 1-for-8 with two RBI and a run scored across the first two games of the series, and he'll sit out the finale. Edward Olivares will start in left field Sunday, allowing Salvador Perez to serve as the DH while Logan Porter starts behind the dish.
Sep 20 2023Melendez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, three runs scored and three RBI in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He got the fireworks started by lofting a Logan Allen sweeper over the right-field wall in the first inning for a two-run homer. Melendez is having a big finish to the season, slashing .283/.431/.543 through 15 games in September with more walks (12) than strikeouts (11), and while he hasn't matched his 2022 power output with only 15 homers and 53 RBI in 141 contests this season, his elite 98th percentile average exit velocity and 92nd percentile hard-hit rate mark the 24-year-old as a potential 2024 breakout candidate.
Sep 17 2023Melendez is not in the lineup Sunday versus the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Nelson Velazquez, Drew Waters and Dairon Blanco will start across the outfield as the Royals take on left-hander Framber Valdez. Melendez carries a weak .552 OPS in 139 plate appearances against lefties this year.
Sep 12 2023Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez went 0-for-3 with a walk and struck out twice during Game 1, making him hitless in 11 at-bats across his last five games. Edward Olivares will take over as Kansas City's left fielder, moving Salvador Perez into the DH spot while Logan Porter starts behind the plate.
Sep 5 2023Melendez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and two walks in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has posted multiple hits in three of his four games in September while homering twice and drawing four walks in that span. He's carried over momentum from August, when he hit .280 for the month. For the season, he's at a .239/.311/.403 slash line with 14 homers, 48 RBI, 57 runs scored, six stolen bases, 28 doubles and four triples through 130 contests. Melendez should continue to play regularly down the stretch, with most of his rest days coming when the Royals face left-handed pitchers.
Sep 3 2023Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup Sunday against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With left-hander Chris Sale on the mound Sunday for Boston, the lefty-hitting Melendez will stay put in Kansas City's dugout to begin the game. Samad Taylor will draw the start in left field instead and bat eighth.
Sep 1 2023Melendez is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez will get a breather as left-hander James Paxton draws the start for Boston. Nelson Velazquez will take over in left field and bat sixth in the series opener.
Aug 26 2023Melendez will not start Saturday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez sits for the first time in two weeks. He has an .811 OPS since his last trip to the bench, but that's only been enough to drag his OPS on the season up to .695. Dairon Blanco starts in left field Saturday.
Aug 16 2023Melendez went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez logged his second three-hit effort in a row, and he's now batting .333 (18-for-54) in August. The 24-year-old started in left field but also shifted to first base after Dairon Blanco stayed in the game following his appearance as a pinch runner. Melendez has worked exclusively in the corner outfield for a majority of the year, but a bit more versatility could help him stick in the lineup -- especially if Salvador Perez catches more often now that Freddy Fermin's bat has cooled off a bit. Melendez is sporting a .232/.305/.388 slash line with 12 home runs, 43 RBI, 50 runs scored and six stolen bases through 114 contests.
Aug 12 2023Melendez will be on the bench for Saturday's game against St. Louis. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez hits the bench after starting six straight games, a run in which he went 9-for-24 with four homers. That recent hot streak has only been enough to drag his OPS on the season up to a disappointing .681. Samad Taylor starts in left field Saturday.
Aug 10 2023Melendez went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He was the only Royals hitter who was able to solve Nick Pivetta on the night, taking the right-hander deep in the second and fourth innings. Melendez continues to heat up, socking four homers in the last four games and slashing .281/.340/.551 over 24 games since the All-Star break, but GMs in keeper and dynasty leagues should note that the 24-year-old hasn't seen action behind the plate since the end of April, and he remains stuck on 10 games played at catcher for the season. As a corner outfielder instead of a backstop, he'll face pressure to produce at a level much higher than his career .695 OPS if he wants to hang onto a starting spot.
Aug 9 2023Melendez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez is starting to show a little more consistency, going 5-for-12 with two homers over his last three games. He's up to 10 long balls and a .146 ISO through 107 contests, though that's still a reduced power pace from last year (18 homers, .176 ISO in 129 games). Melendez has added 39 RBI, 45 runs scored, six stolen bases and a .220/.298/.366 slash line in 2023.
Aug 7 2023Melendez went 3-for-4 in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez did his part to get on base, but the Royals' Nos. 5-9 hitters went a combined 2-for-19 with one walk, leaving him stranded. The 24-year-old had gone just 6-for-32 across his previous nine contests since his last multi-hit effort. Melendez is up to a .220/.297/.359 slash line through 106 games overall. He slashed a reasonable .241/.290/.402 in July, which was his steadiest month at the plate this season.
Aug 1 2023Melendez went 1-for-3 with two walks, one RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez's bat is starting to come around -- he's hit safely in 14 of 16 games since the All-Star break, batting .279 (17-for-61) in that span. The 24-year-old is up to six steals in eight attempts after his theft Tuesday. While he's slashing just .218/.296/.351 on the year, he's trending in the right direction and should continue to see ample playing time for the remainder of the season.
Jul 27 2023Melendez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-3 loss against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has recorded a hit in 10 of 12 games since the All-Star break -- he's batting .289 (13-for-45) with two homers and an .844 OPS in that span. After an inconsistent first half, the 24-year-old Melendez is slashing .217/.294/.356 with eight homers, 39 runs scored, 34 RBI and five steals across 394 plate appearances this season.
Jul 25 2023Melendez is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It looks to be a routine day off for Melendez. The Royals are starting Edward Olivares in left field, Maikel Garcia in the designated hitter spot and Nicky Lopez at third base.
Jul 16 2023Melendez went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez opened up the scored with an RBI double in the first and then added some insurance in the eighth with a solo home run. The long ball was his first since June 17 and Sunday's effort was his first multi-hit game since June 22. The 24-year-old now has four hits in three games since the All-Star break and will look to turn things around after a very disappointing first half. Melendez is now slashing .211/.291/.346 with 27 extra-base hits, 33 RBI, 35 runs and a 35:106 BB:K in 358 plate appearances.
Jul 1 2023Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup Saturday versus the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Julio Urias will make his return from a hamstring injury Saturday for Los Angeles, meaning the left-handed bat of Melendez will stay put on the bench to begin the game. Samad Taylor will start in left and bat seventh while Dairon Blanco gets the nod in right, batting ninth.
Jun 22 2023Melendez went 3-for-4 with a run, two RBI and two stolen bases in Thursday's 6-5 victory against Tampa Bay. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez had been mired in a bad slump coming into the contest, going 1-for-15 with 10 strikeouts over his previous five games. He turned things around with a big effort against the Rays, which he culminated with an infield single that plated the game-winning run in the ninth inning. From a fantasy perspective, Melendez's biggest contribution was his two thefts. It was a nice surprise for those who roster him, as he had notched just two steals on four attempts over 68 games coming into Thursday.
Jun 21 2023Melendez is not in the starting lineup Wednesday against Detroit, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez will take a seat after he went 0-for-7 with a run scored, a walk and six strikeouts while starting the first two games of the series. Edward Olivares will take over in right field while Freddy Fermin enters the lineup behind the plate and bats eighth in the series finale with the Tigers.
Jun 17 2023Melendez went 1-for-3 with two walks, a solo homer and an additional RBI in Saturday's victory over the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez notched his first multi-walk outing since May 29 and hit his first home run since May 28. He was slashing just .260/.283/.300 over his first 13 June appearances before Saturday, but the Royals currently don't have many options available to challenge Melendez for the starting right field spot.
Jun 5 2023Melendez went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 9-6 loss to the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez seems to be turning things around a bit, as he's hit safely in eight of his last 10 games while going 10-for-35 (.286) in that span. Both of his stolen bases this season have also come in that stretch. He's slashing .220/.307/.375 with five home runs, 25 RBI and 27 runs scored through 55 contests, but the 24-year-old should remain in the lineup consistently since the Royals have few better options available to challenge Melendez for time in right field.
May 29 2023Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Royals rallied with three runs over the final three innings to pull off the comeback victory over the Nationals. Melendez got things going with a solo blast to left center off of Mackenzie Gore for his first home run since May 8. The 24-year-old had 18 home runs over 534 plate appearances last year and sits at just five long balls over 203 plate appearances thus far. His power is down and his strikeouts are up while his average remains low at the dish. For the year, he's slashing just .208/.296/.360 with 16 extra base hits, 22 RBI, 23 runs and a 22:64 BB:K.
May 27 2023Melendez went 1-for-3 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 12-10 loss to the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has hit safely in just three of his last seven games while posting a 3:11 BB:K in that span. The steal was his first of the season -- he recorded only two steals in 129 contests last year, so speed is not a big part of his game. For the season, he's slashing .209/.292/.349 with four home runs, 21 RBI and 21 runs scored. Melendez is likely to maintain a starting role in right field for now, but with Drew Waters back in the mix and Kyle Isbel (hamstring) potentially returning by mid-June, playing time for Melendez could decrease if he can't get his bat going.
May 15 2023Melendez is not in the starting lineup against the Padres on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has performed well in the month of May with a .313/.370/.500 slash with two homers in 48 at-bats, but he'll get Monday off against the Padres. Hunter Dozier is starting in right field and hitting seventh.
May 8 2023Melendez went 2-for-5 with a home run, two total runs and four total RBI in Monday's 12-5 win against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez led the way offensively for Kansas City in the big victory, knocking a two-run homer in the fourth inning and a two-run single in the sixth. The four RBI were a season high for the outfielder, who came into Monday with only two RBI over his previous 11 games. Melendez is slashing just .208/.284/.383 on the campaign, though he's reached base in eight straight contests, batting .333 (10-for-30) over that span.
May 6 2023Melendez is on the bench for Saturday's game against Oakland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez's off day against lefty Ken Waldichuk means he's now been on the bench against four of the nine southpaws the Royals have faced this season. After showing promise as a rookie, Melendez is hitting just .200/.276/.364 in his sophomore season, and he's currently seen as just an outfielder and designated hitter with the Royals calling up Freddy Fermin to back up Salvador Perez.
May 5 2023Melendez went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a run scored in Thursday's 13-10 loss to the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has gone 6-for-15 (.400) during his four-game hitting streak. He appears set for a near-everyday role in right field after the Royals decided to call up Freddy Fermin to back up Salvador Perez behind the dish. It's possible simplifying things for Melendez could help get his season on track. He's slashing .200/.280/.371 with three home runs, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, seven doubles and a triple through 28 contests.
May 3 2023Melendez is expected to exclusively work as an outfielder or designated hitter for the time being after the Royals called up Freddy Fermin from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday to serve as Salvador Perez's top understudy, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melendez has thus far split time between right field and catcher, making 16 and seven starts at those positions, respectively. According to Rogers, the Royals are hoping that by having Melendez focus on just playing the outfield, he won't be bogged down by having to game plan with the Royals' pitching staff and can instead turn his full attention toward getting back on track with the bat. Like many of his teammates, Melendez is off to a rough start to the season at the plate, with his OPS down nearly 100 points from 2022 (.706 to .610) and his strikeout rate up more than 10 percentage points (from 24.5 percent to 34.9 percent). The Royals could revisit getting Melendez some more work behind the plate later this season, so perhaps he'll still have a chance to pick up enough starts at catcher to retain eligibility at that spot heading into 2024.
Apr 30 2023Melendez is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.