School: University of Texas; Class: Redshirt Junior
Position: 1B; B/T: R/R
Height: 6-3; Weight: 225
Previously Drafted: Miami Marlins, 16th round, 2021
High School: Coronado High School
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45 | 60 | 30 | 55 | 45 | 45 |
Background: A product of Coronado High School, home to former Orioles right-hander Rocky Coppinger, Melendez spent his first two collegiate seasons at JuCo Odessa College – where he simply dominated during the COVID-shortened 2020 season (he batted .354 with four homeruns and 22 RBIs). The hulking first baseman transferred to the University of Texas prior to his junior season.
In 59 games for the Big 12 powerhouse in 2021, he slugged .319/.438/.603 with 13 doubles, three triples, and 13 homeruns. Production worthy enough for the Marlins to take a 16th round gamble on him. Undeterred by the disappointing draft position, Melendez headed back to the Longhorns for his redshirt junior season.
And it proved to be a historic one.
In a career-best 67 games, the Texas-born basher belted out a school record – and national record since BBCOR bats were introduced in 2011 – 32 long balls. In total, college baseball’s most potent bat slashed .387/.508/.863 with 18 doubles, two triples, and 32 homeruns. He finished the year with a strong 51-to-52 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, only two Division I hitters batted at least .350/.500/.700 in a season (min. 300 PA): Kyle Lewis, the 11th overall player drafted in 2011, and – of course – Ivan Melendez, the Hispanic Titanic.
Let’s look at his production in a different way:
- Since 2011, there have been 17 Division I hitters that slugged 25 or more homeruns in a season. Melendez’s strikeout rate, 15.8%, is the sixth lowest and his walk rate, 16.8%, is the fifth highest. In fact, only two of the 17 hitters posted a sub-16% strikeout rate and a walk rate north of 15%: Kris Bryant and – of course – Ivan Melendez.
It was truly a historic season for the Hispanic Titanic. The problem, of course, is that Melendez is old, at least in terms of amateur prospects are concerned. He’s already 22. And he had some serious swing-and-miss issues during his first year at Texas, whiffing in more than 26% of his plate appearances. Plus power combined with a strong eye at the plate. The hit tool will likely prove to be a 45-grade once he enters the professional ranks. There’s some Pete Alonso potential, but Melendez likely reaches about 70% of that value. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a team take a second round gamble and sign him to a below-slot deal. He seems like an Oakland A’s-type of draft pick.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: Second / Third Round
