MJ MELENDEZ NEWS

Taking seat Tuesday Melendez is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Cleveland.

Impact 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.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes deep Sunday Melendez went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Rays.

Impact 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.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches fifth steal Melendez went 2-for-8 with a stolen base across both games of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Rays.

Impact Melendez's steal came in the afternoon contest. He's gone 17 games without a multi-hit effort, slumping to a .156/.229/.234 slash line over that span. The power-hitting 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact for much of the season, hitting .207 with a .619 OPS, six home runs, five steals, 31 RBI and 34 runs scored over 86 contests despite a near-everyday role. He's been a bit unlucky based on his .288 BABIP, but he's hindered by a 29.9 percent strikeout rate.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting versus lefty Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup Saturday versus the Dodgers.

Impact 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 Drew Waters gets the nod in right.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Very productive in win Melendez went 3-for-4 with a run, two RBI and two stolen bases in Thursday's 6-5 victory against Tampa Bay.

Impact 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.

JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Wednesday Melendez is not in the starting lineup Wednesday against Detroit, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

JUNE 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits first homer of June Melendez went 1-for-3 with two walks, a solo homer and an additional RBI in Saturday's victory over the Angels.

Impact 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.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches second steal Melendez 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes yard in win Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Nationals.

Impact 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 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes bag Friday Melendez went 1-for-3 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 12-10 loss to the Nationals.

Impact 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 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Monday Melendez is not in the starting lineup against the Padres on Monday.

Impact 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 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Knocks in four runs Monday Melendez 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.

Impact 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 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Saturday's lineup Melendez is on the bench for Saturday's game against Oakland.

Impact 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 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up three hits in loss Melendez went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a run scored in Thursday's 13-10 loss to the Orioles.

Impact 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 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set for full-time outfield, for now Melendez is expected to exclusively work as an outfielder or designated hitter for the time being after the Royals called up Felix Fermin from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday to serve as...

Impact 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 he'll still have a chance to pick up enough starts at catcher to retain eligibility at that spot in most fantasy leagues heading into 2024.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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