AB | 153 |
---|---|
AVG | .275 |
OBP | .335 |
SLG | .556 |
HR | 12 |
- Full name Raul Ivan Melendez
- Born 01/24/2000 in El Paso, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Texas
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Drafted in the 2nd round (43rd overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022 (signed for $1,400,000).
View Draft Report
Melendez has put together a monster spring for the Longhorns. Heading into postseason play, the 6-foot-3 225-pound slugger had made a legitimate run at the Division I triple crown, registering a top 10 batting average at .406, tied for the lead in home runs with 29 and just two RBIs short of the nation’s leader with 87. The Longhorns’ first baseman brings a relaxed but aggressive approach with him to the plate. He likes to sink into his lower half before letting his hands fly. Unlike a lot of power hitters, Melendez rarely overswings. With more of a bat-to-ball approach, he allows his power to come naturally rather than forcing the issue. Melendez’s spray chart is a work of art. He has the ability to drive the ball the other way with authority, and opposing arms are cautious of attacking zones where Melendez can get extension. Some teams will find success if they’re able to pitch inside effectively or get him to chase spin down in the zone, but the attempts come with a warning, as Melendez will crush mistakes that catch too much of the plate. Melendez has strong plate discipline, as he walked more than he struck out heading into NCAA Tournament play (47 to 43). Melendez’s skill on the defensive side is equally impressive. He committed just one error all spring with a .998 fielding percentage, and he should have no problem holding the position down at the pro level. Melendez moves fairly well for a big man, too, as he’s not a clogger on the basepaths. Melendez’s performance has put him in a favorable spot for July’s draft. He’ll likely be the earliest first baseman off the board and could be a quick riser up the minor league ladder.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Track Record: Melendez played two seasons at Odessa (Texas) College before transferring to Texas, where he immediately became one of the better hitters in the Big 12. A DH-only his first year there, he went to the Marlins in the 16th round in 2021 but did not sign. He returned to Texas and not only played a solid first base but also improved as a hitter. He had a monster year, capturing the Golden Spikes Award and slugging 32 home runs, the most since the NCAA adopted bat restrictions in 2011.
Scouting Report: Melendez uses his lower half well to generate and transfer energy before uncorking his powerful swing. His all-fields power is his calling card, but he also demonstrates feel to hit. He cut down on his strikeouts last year, in part thanks to a quicker swing that made it easier to shore up his approach and chase less. He also improved his walk rate. Those strides helped convince the D-backs they were taking a hitter on the rise despite him having played all last year at age 22. He is a below-average runner but his feet work well on defense and he has a chance to be an average first baseman. He also played a passable third base in his pro debut, a pleasant surprise to club officials. He has an average arm.
The Future: Melendez's batted-ball data suggests his debut was better than his subpar numbers (.206/.358/.351) would suggest, but he is going to need to hit a ton--and quickly, given his age--for his prospect value to remain intact. Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
Draft Prospects
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For a stretch in April, Melendez was the hottest hitter in college baseball, hitting a home run in seven consecutive games. Melendez sees himself as a hitter first, and he does have a shot to be a fringe-average hitter. But his calling card is plus power and he posts the exit velocities to prove it. With his long limbs, he has solid plate coverage. He eats up pitchers on the outer third, with the ability to drive balls to the opposite-field power alley. With every college hitter in this year’s class, teams are operating with less information than in past years. Melendez didn’t get to show what he could do with wood last summer and he also wasn’t able to show what he can do defensively. Melendez played third base at Odessa (Texas) JC, and his average arm strength reminds everyone that he was a pitcher in high school before he suffered a labrum injury to his non-throwing arm playing football. But he’s been a near full-time DH for Texas (in deference to senior Zach Zubia). Scouts believe he could be average at first, but that’s based on very limited looks, and they haven’t seen what he can do with a wood bat. Melendez is a below-average runner, but moves well for his size. Melendez has a chance to be a well-rounded hitter with power, which should lead him to be a solid Day Two pick.
Scouting Reports
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BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Track Record: Melendez played two seasons at Odessa (Texas) College before transferring to Texas, where he immediately became one of the better hitters in the Big 12. A DH-only his first year there, he went to the Marlins in the 16th round in 2021 but did not sign. He returned to Texas and not only played a solid first base but also improved as a hitter. He had a monster year, capturing the Golden Spikes Award and slugging 32 home runs, the most since the NCAA adopted bat restrictions in 2011.
Scouting Report: Melendez uses his lower half well to generate and transfer energy before uncorking his powerful swing. His all-fields power is his calling card, but he also demonstrates feel to hit. He cut down on his strikeouts last year, in part thanks to a quicker swing that made it easier to shore up his approach and chase less. He also improved his walk rate. Those strides helped convince the D-backs they were taking a hitter on the rise despite him having played all last year at age 22. He is a below-average runner but his feet work well on defense and he has a chance to be an average first baseman. He also played a passable third base in his pro debut, a pleasant surprise to club officials. He has an average arm.
The Future: Melendez's batted-ball data suggests his debut was better than his subpar numbers (.206/.358/.351) would suggest, but he is going to need to hit a ton--and quickly, given his age--for his prospect value to remain intact. Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Track Record: Melendez played two seasons at Odessa (Texas) College before transferring to Texas, where he immediately became one of the better hitters in the Big 12. A DH-only his first year there, he went to the Marlins in the 16th round in 2021 but did not sign. He returned to Texas and not only played a solid first base but also improved as a hitter. He had a monster year, capturing the Golden Spikes Award and slugging 32 home runs, the most since the NCAA adopted bat restrictions in 2011.
Scouting Report: Melendez uses his lower half well to generate and transfer energy before uncorking his powerful swing. His all-fields power is his calling card, but he also demonstrates feel to hit. He cut down on his strikeouts last year, in part thanks to a quicker swing that made it easier to shore up his approach and chase less. He also improved his walk rate. Those strides helped convince the D-backs they were taking a hitter on the rise despite him having played all last year at age 22. He is a below-average runner but his feet work well on defense and he has a chance to be an average first baseman. He also played a passable third base in his pro debut, a pleasant surprise to club officials. He has an average arm.
The Future: Melendez's batted-ball data suggests his debut was better than his subpar numbers (.206/.358/.351) would suggest, but he is going to need to hit a ton--and quickly, given his age--for his prospect value to remain intact. Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50. -
BA Grade: 50/High
August Update: Melendez has put together a monster spring for the Longhorns. Heading into postseason play, the 6-foot-3 225-pound slugger had made a legitimate run at the Division I triple crown, registering a top 10 batting average at .406, tied for the lead in home runs with 29 and just two RBIs short of the nation's leader with 87. The Longhorns' first baseman brings a relaxed but aggressive approach with him to the plate. He likes to sink into his lower half before letting his hands fly. Unlike a lot of power hitters, Melendez rarely overswings. With more of a bat-to-ball approach, he allows his power to come naturally rather than forcing the issue. Melendez's spray chart is a work of art. He has the ability to drive the ball the other way with authority, and opposing arms are cautious of attacking zones where Melendez can get extension. Some teams will find success if they're able to pitch inside effectively or get him to chase spin down in the zone, but the attempts come with a warning, as Melendez will crush mistakes that catch too much of the plate. Melendez has strong plate discipline, as he walked more than he struck out heading into NCAA Tournament play (47 to 43). Melendez's skill on the defensive side is equally impressive. He committed just one error all spring with a .998 fielding percentage, and he should have no problem holding the position down at the pro level. Melendez moves fairly well for a big man, too, as he's not a clogger on the basepaths. He could be a quick riser up the minor league ladder.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 55. Arm: 50.