The Royals announced that outfielder MJ Melendez has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 15, due to a left ankle sprain. No corresponding move was immediately announced as the club doesn’t play again until Friday due to the All-Star break.
Melendez, 25, departed the club’s most recent game on Sunday after apparently injuring himself running out a ground ball. Bally Sports Kansas City provided video of the play on X. Due to the off-days in the break, it’s possible he could return after only missing a handful of games, but the team will likely provide more information about his expected absence in the days to come.
It’s unfortunate timing for Melendez personally, as he was heating up a bit after an awful first half. He hit .181/.249/.353 through the end of June for a wRC+ of 64, indicating he was 36% worse than the league average hitter. He then put up a torrid line of .273/.314/.606 in 35 July plate appearances, but whatever momentum he was carrying into the break will now be put on ice.
It’s been a frustrating season in what has already been a disappointing big league career for Melendez. He was considered one of the top 100 prospects in the sport as he climbed towards the majors, with Baseball America putting him in the #42 overall spot heading into 2022. But he hit just .227/.314/.396 over 2022 and 2023 for a wRC+ of 95.
The Royals gradually moved him from the catcher position to the outfield in that time. He was blocked by Salvador Perez anyway but the Royals likely hoped that a less-demanding defensive position could perhaps help him develop offensively, but that hasn’t really materialized. Even with his recent hot streak, he’s still hitting just .192/.257/.385 on the year overall for a 75 wRC+ and his career-long performance leads to a line of .219/.303/.393 and a 92 wRC+.
Despite the struggles of Melendez, it’s been a good season for the club overall. They went 56-106 last year but have almost matched that win total already. They are currently 52-45 and just two games out of a playoff spot. That’s been largely in spite of their horrendous production on the grass, as Melendez and his fellow outfielders have hit .216/.276/.361 on the year for a 76 wRC+, dead last in the majors.
Adding to the outfield is an obvious target area for the club prior to the July 30 deadline and general manager J.J. Picollo has admitted that it’s something they will be exploring. For now, the group consists of Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Isbel and Dairon Blanco, with infielders Adam Frazier and Garrett Hampson capable of moving out there as well. With Melendez hitting the IL, the club could recall someone like Nelson Velázquez, Drew Waters or Nick Pratto to take his spot.
It’s distinctly possible that group gets a significant shakeup via trades in the next few weeks and looks completely different by August. If Melendez returns from the IL and finds himself squeezed from playing time, he does still have options and could be sent to the minors if the club so chooses.