The Royals announced that outfielder MJ Melendez was placed on the 10-day disabled list, which resumed on July 15, due to a left ankle injury. No corresponding move was immediately announced as the club does not play again until Friday due to the All-Star break.
Melendez, 25, left the team’s most recent game on Sunday after appearing to field a ground ball. Bally Sports Kansas City provided video of the game via X. Due to the rest days in the break, it is possible that he could return after missing only a few games, but the team will probably provide more information about his expected absence in days. to come
Bad timing for Melendez personally, as he was warming up a bit after a poor first half. He hit .181/.249/.353 at the end of June with a wRC+ of 64, which means he was 36% worse than the league average hitter. He then put up a torrid .273/.314/.606 line in 35 plate appearances in July, but any momentum he had during the break was about to be put on ice.
It’s been a frustrating season in what has already been a disappointing major league career for Melendez. Considered one of the top 100 players in the game as he ascended to the majors, Baseball America ranked him #42 overall heading into 2022. But he hit .227/.314/.396 in 2022 and 2023 with a wRC+ of 95.
The Royals slowly moved him out of the catcher’s position at that point. Blocked by Salvador Perez however, the Royals hoped that a less demanding defensive position might help him improve offensively, but that didn’t really happen. Even with his recent hot streak, he’s still hitting just .192/.257/.385 on the year with a 75 wRC+ and his long-term performance results in a .219/.303/.393 line and a 92 wRC+ .
Despite Melendez’s struggles, it was a good season for the team overall. They went 56-106 last year but have nearly matched this win streak already. They are currently 52-45 and just two games out of the playoffs. That happened largely despite their horrendous production in the grass, as Melendez and other outfielders hit .216/.276/.361 on the year with a 76 wRC+, ending up dead in the majors.
Adding to the pitch is an obvious target for the club ahead of the July 30 deadline and general manager JJ Picollo has admitted it is something they will explore. Currently, the group consists of Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Isbell again Dairon Blancoand insiders Adam Frazier again Garrett Hampson able to move there again. With Melendez hitting IL, the club could miss such a person Nelson Velázquez, Drew Waters or Nick Pratto to take his place.
Obviously the team is likely to get a big shake up with trades in the next few weeks and look completely different come August. If Melendez returns from IL and finds himself pressed for playing time, he still has options and can be sent to the minors if the club so chooses.
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