Jacob Melton - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Cleared for Spring Breakout game Melton (back) is listed on Houston's roster for its March 14 Spring Breakout game versus Washington prospects.

Impact The Astros sent Melton out to minor-league camp earlier this week after he missed time to begin spring training due to a back injury, but manager Joe Espada said that the outfielder was close to being ready for game action. Melton's inclusion on the Spring Breakout roster is an indication that he'll be cleared to play by the end of the next week, putting the 24-year-old on track to open the season in a full-time role at Triple-A Sugar Land.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Among five reassigned The Astros reassigned Melton, Tommy Sacco, Miguel Palma, Aaron Brown and Jose Fleury to minor-league camp Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Melton is the big name of the group as one of the team's top prospects, and he's been slowed in camp by a back injury. The good news is he is close to being game-ready, per manager Joe Espada, with Melton likely to be brought back to play in some Grapefruit League games later this week. While Melton is pegged for Triple-A Sugar Land to start the season, he has a shot to eventually break into a relatively uncertain Astros' outfield situation.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing sore back Melton is dealing with mid-back soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact It sounds like a day-to-day type injury. One of the Astros' top prospects, Melton is not yet on the 40-man roster but should push to debut sooner rather than later, particularly with the team's lack of outfield depth. He slashed .253/.310/.426 with 15 home runs and 30 stolen bases between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land in 2024.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Darkhorse for roster spot Melton could push to make the Opening Day roster in 2025, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com suggests.

Impact Melton progressed to Triple-A Sugar Land in 2024, accruing 192 plate appearances at the level. However, he managed only a 78 wRC+ and is not yet on the team's 40-man roster. That combination makes him a longshot to open the year in Houston, though he has significant power and speed tools, so if he does earn playing time he could quickly emerge on the fantasy radar. In addition, the Astros have an unresolved outfield and Melton is capable of playing all three spots.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Moves up to Triple-A The Astros have promoted Melton from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Melton has slashed a rather pedestrian .248/.307/.443 with 10 home runs and 19 stolen bases over 58 games with Corpus Christi this season, although his production could have been hampered somewhat by a wrist injury he dealt with earlier in the year. The 23-year-old can play all three outfield spots and offers a fantasy-friendly skill set with some power and plenty of speed, although he'll probably have to wait until 2025 before he debuts in the majors.

JULY 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted to Double-A Melton was promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Melton hit only .244 over 86 games with High-A Asheville, but he also recorded a .338 OBP, 18 home runs and 41 steals, so the Astros decided he was ready to move up another level.

AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Running wild at High-A Melton is slashing .232/.337/.443 with 14 home runs and 30 steals in 62 games for High-A Asheville.

Impact Melton turns 23 in September and is playing half his games in the extremely hitter-friendly park in Asheville, so this statistical output is essentially him meeting expectations. A physical and athletic 6-foot-3 outfielder, Melton brings an intriguing combination of power and speed to the table, and we should learn more about the viability of his hit tool once he starts facing age-appropriate pitching at Double-A.

JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE