JULY 14, 2022 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM
MJ MELENDEZ #1 - LEFT FIELDER - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
17 HR •
44 RBI •
.206 AVG
17 HR
44 RBI
.206 AVG
Royals forced to cobble a patchwork roster after leaving 10 unvaccinated players home for series in Toronto - The Boston Globe Among the 10 players who were left home were All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi, two-time All-Star Whit Merrifield, righthanded starter B...
Sent to restricted list The Royals placed Melendez (personal) on the restricted list Thursday.
Impact Melendez is one of 10 Royals on the 26-man active roster who won't be eligible for the four-game series in Toronto due to his vaccination status. He'll be formally reinstated from the restricted list for the Royals' first game coming out of the All-Star break July 22 against Tampa Bay. In addition to Melendez, fellow catcher Cam Gallagher (personal) is also on the restricted list for the Toronto series, so the Royals will bring up two backstops (Sebastian Rivero and Freddy Fermin) from the minors as replacement options at the position.
JULY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Unavailable for weekend series Melendez is unable to enter Canada for the four-game series this weekend due to his vaccination status, so he'll be placed on the restricted list Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com r...
Impact Melendez is one of several players for the Royals who will be unable to make the trip this weekend due to being unvaccinated. Cam Gallagher is also unvaccinated, so the Royals will need to call up some catchers from the minors to fill in against Toronto.
JULY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Two extra-base hits in loss Melendez went 2-for-5 with a triple, a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Tigers.
Impact Melendez hit a leadoff triple in the first inning and scored on an Andrew Benintendi single. In the ninth, Melendez added a out-out double, but he was left on base. The catcher is 8-for-33 (.242) with three homers in his last nine games. With Whit Merrifield (toe) and Michael Taylor (shoulder) out of action, Melendez has gotten some looks as the leadoff hitter. He's slashing .221/.314/.413 with nine homers, two triples, nine doubles, 25 RBI and 22 runs scored in 60 contests, so he'd likely need to show more with the bat to remain in that role long-term.
JULY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sitting for Game 1 on Monday Melendez will sit Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader with the Tigers.
Impact Melendez will get a breather after he went 1-for-11 with two RBI in the series against the Guardians. Cam Gallagher will take over behind the plate and bat eighth in Game 1.
JULY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Blasts another homer Melendez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 9-7 loss to the Astros.
Impact Melendez followed up his first career two-homer game Monday with another long ball Tuesday. He's had trouble putting together extended stretches of success -- he hadn't hit safely in consecutive games since June 8-11 despite receiving plenty of playing time in that span. The catcher is at a .225/.317/.429 slash line with nine homers, 21 RBI, 19 runs scored, eight doubles and a triple through 208 plate appearances, but he'll need to show more consistency to earn widespread fantasy appeal. Even amid his struggles at the plate, Melendez is firmly ahead of Cam Gallagher on the depth chart.
JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Goes yard twice in loss Melendez went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Astros.
Impact The rookie backstop launched solo shots off Jake Odorizzi in the third inning and Phil Maton in the eighth. Melendez snapped an 18-game homerless drought with the performance, a stretch during which he'd slashed a woeful .127/.253/.159 with only two RBI. Despite his recent struggles, the 23-year-old will remain the starter at catcher for the Royals until Salvador Perez (thumb) is ready to return, something which may not happen until late August.
JULY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gets rest amid slump Melendez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Impact Melendez has started each of the Royals' last 12 games as either a catcher, right fielder or designated hitter, going 6-for-44 with 12 strikeouts over that span. The Royals will extend the slumping rookie a breather for the series finale, but Melendez should continue to shoulder one of the heavier workloads among catchers while top backstop Salvador Perez (thumbs) remains on the injured list. Cam Gallagher will replace Melendez behind the dish Sunday.
JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Supplies RBI in win Melendez went 2-for-3 with an RBI in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Rangers.
Impact Melendez has been a boom-or-bust hitter in his last 13 games -- he has three multi-hit games and 10 hitless efforts in that span. He's offset some of those struggles at the plate by posting a 10:12 BB:K in those contests. The rookie is slashing .228/.323/.395 with six home runs, 18 RBI, 16 runs scored, eight doubles and a triple through 192 plate appearances. Melendez should have a chance to play through his inconsistent hitting, as top catcher Salvador Perez (thumb) is out at least until late August.
JUNE 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
What's Wrong With MJ Melendez? It's Simple, Yet Complicated Despite not changing a ton himself, the results have been different for Kansas City’s young catcher.
JUNE 28, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Riding pine Saturday Melendez isn't starting Saturday's game against the Athletics, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Impact Melendez will get a breather after he went 0-for-7 with an RBI, five walks and three strikeouts over the last three games. Hunter Dozier is serving as the designated hitter while Nicky Lopez enters the lineup at second base.
JUNE 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
It's Early, but MJ Melendez Looks Like a Professional Hitter Melendez is far from perfect, but his bat should be here to stay regardless of everything else.
JUNE 16, 2022 • SACBEE.COM
Blasts three-run homer Melendez went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a double in Friday's 8-1 win over the Orioles.
Impact Melendez turned Friday's game into a rout with his fifth-inning blast off Orioles starter Bruce Zimmermann. This was Melendez's second homer in as many games, and he's picked seven RBI and four runs scored in his last three contests. The 23-year-old is up to a .268/.344/.500 slash line with six long balls, 16 RBI, 14 runs scored, six doubles and a triple in 33 games. As long as he continues to hit well, manager Mike Matheny will continue to find room in the lineup for his bat.
JUNE 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Homers in win Melendez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, an additional run and two walks in a 7-5 win against the Orioles on Thursday.
Impact Melendez got the start at DH and produced a two-run shot to right field in the third inning. The long ball snapped an 11-game homerless drought, though Melendez reached base in all but two contests during that stretch. He is slashing .259/.339/.463 with five home runs and 13 RBI on the campaign.
JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Zack Collins nabs MJ Melendez ' 06/08/2022 Zack Collins catches MJ Melendez trying to steal second base and fires a strike over to Matt Chapman, completing the bottom of the 4th
JUNE 9, 2022 • MLB.COM
Starting in right field Melendez is starting in right field and batting fifth Sunday against the Twins.
Impact Melendez started the past five games behind the plate and has also served as the designated hitter since being promoted in early May, but he's now seeing time in the outfield. Salvador Perez (thumb) has returned from the injured list and should work as Kansas City's primary backstop moving forward, but the team will try Melendez out elsewhere in an attempt to keep his bat in the lineup. The 23-year-old has a .229/.299/.457 slash line with four home runs, eight RBI and eight runs through his first 21 major-league games.
MAY 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Slugs fourth homer Melendez went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 10-7 loss to the Twins.
Impact While it didn't affect the final result, Melendez took Yennier Cano deep in the ninth inning as the Royals tried to mount a late comeback. All four of the rookie catcher's homers this season have come in the last 10 games, a stretch during which he's batting .263 (10-for-38) with seven runs and seven RBI.
MAY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Smacks third long ball Melendez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, double and an additional run and RBI in an 8-6 loss to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
Impact Batting fifth, Melendez launched a two-run home run off Zac Gallen in the second inning and doubled home a run before scoring in the sixth for his third multi-hit game in his last seven. The rookie backstop has been serving an everyday role since Salvador Perez went down with a thumb injury on May 17, going 10-for-35 with three home runs during the eight-game stretch.
MAY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Homers for second straight game Melendez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and two runs scored against the White Sox on Wednesday.
Impact The long ball was no cheap shot -- it was an absolute bomb to left-center. Melendez has now gone yard in consecutive games, flashing the big-time power that shot him up the prospect lists last season. He did strike out a couple times, but that's a reasonable tradeoff in exchange for Melendez's power from the catcher position.
MAY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kansas City Royals veteran Zack Greinke praises rookie MJ Melendez's work at catcher Royals rookie MJ Melendez was so thrilled to get a compliment from Zack Greinke that he shared his excitement in a text to his father after...
MAY 19, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
Changeup: KC Royals' Tuesday night victory stood for just that, in more ways than one It was only one game, but the play of Brady Singer and MJ Melendez on Tuesday night was a vital moment for the Royals that could be a harbin...
MAY 18, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
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
