MJ

Melendez

It’s not an unsurprising decision since Melendez was off to a dreadful start, hitting .085 (4-for-47) with one homer and 20 strikeouts in 52 plate appearances across 16 games. The 26-year-old former top prospect boasts impressive raw power, but he simply hasn’t gotten to it consistently enough at the highest level to stick in an everyday role. It’s frustrating for fantasy managers since he made some swing changes during the offseason, but the results never came. There isn’t a place on a contending roster for a strictly platoon corner outfield that isn’t hitting. He’ll head to the minors and attempt to hit the reset button.

Melendez did hit his first homer Tuesday, but to say he’s struggled to begin the season (.343 OPS over 52 plate appearances) is quite the understatement. He’ll sit with Drew Waters hitting eighth and playing left field in his absence.

Making a rare start against an opposing southpaw, Melendez swatted a 429-foot (107.2 mph EV) solo shot off of Max Fried to open the scoring in the third inning. That would be his only hit in four at-bats on the night. He’s slashing a cringe-inducing .093/.188/.186 with one homer and just one RBI on the season and should be nowhere near any fantasy lineups at the moment.

It’s been interesting to see just how little faith the Royals have in Melendez early on this season. There were plenty of corner outfielders available over the winter, but the Royals decided to hold fast with Melendez and Hunter Renfroe, only bringing in Mark Canha at the very end of the spring. It certainly hasn’t paid off; Melendez has a .351 OPS, Renfroe is at .402 and Canha is on the injured list. At least it still figures to be a relatively easy place to upgrade through a trade.

It appears to just be a day off for Melendez; even with right-hander Freddy Peralta on the bump for the Brewers. Cavan Biggio will be the starting left fielder in Melendez’s absence.

Pasquantino takes a seat after making four straight starts at DH to open the regular season in the wake of a late-spring hamstring strain. The 27-year-old first baseman is hitting .214 (3-for-14) with one homer and four RBI. It’ll be MJ Melendez at DH with journeyman Cavan Biggio handling the cold corner.

Melendez is off to an 0-for-6 start, and the Royals are playing Hunter Renfroe over him in right field today with Jonathan India in left. Melendez should be back in there Monday, as the Royals are slated to face right-handers all three games against the Brewers this week.

Melendez connected for a two-run homer against Mariners starter Bryce Miller in the second inning for his second big fly of the spring. The 26-year-old slugging corner outfielder overhauled his swing during the offseason, modifying his leg kick and hand positioning to improve his stance and power. He’s an interesting late-round power source with 25-plus homer potential, if everything comes together.

MLB.com’s Anne Rogers notes that Melendez has modified his leg kick and hand positioning to improve his stance and power. The 26-year-old figures to occupy a strong-side platoon corner outfielder role this season for Kansas City alongside Nelson Velázquez. He’s still going to strike out a ton, but projects as a realistic 20-homer threat, even in a part-time role. There’s a ton of over-the-fence power upside lurking here if the revamped swing enables him to unlock his offensive potential.

The 26-year-old slugger was projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $2.6 million via arbitration, so this looks to be a fair pact for both sides. Melendez took a major step backwards offensively in 2024, slashing a cringe-inducing .206/.273/.400 to go along with 17 long balls, 44 RBI and four stolen bases. The power is legit, but if he can’t cut back on the strikeouts and start to make more consistent hard contact, he may very well play himself out of an everyday role with the Royals.