The Astros are poised to pick out the contract of outfielder Jacob Melton, per a report from Ari Alexander of KPRC2. A corresponding transfer just isn’t but identified, however Houston might want to create room on each the 40-man and lively rosters with a purpose to promote Melton.
Melton, 24, was Houston’s second-round choose within the 2022 draft. Rated because the membership’s #2 prospect by MLB Pipeline and have become the membership’s prime prospect based on Baseball America’s rating when fellow teen Cam Smith graduated from prospect standing earlier this month. Scouts have usually considered Melton as a roughly common offensive performer, with above common uncooked energy and stable bat-to-ball abilities which are held again by an aggressive method on the plate that results in poor swing choices and struggles figuring out sure offspeed pitches.
These flaws on the plate might prohibit Melton’s offensive upside, however he’s universally lauded as a stable contributor each within the area and on the basepaths. Moreover, no matter considerations scouts might have about Melton’s method haven’t stopped him from succeeding within the minors so far. In 17 video games on the Triple-A stage to date this yr, Melton has hit a formidable .254/.371/.508. That’s good for a 132 wRC+ even within the inflated offensive setting of the Pacific Coast League. Given these stable numbers, it’s not arduous to see why the Astros have determined to provide their younger outfielder a shot on the huge league stage.
The timing of Melton’s promotion is particularly prudent contemplating Houston’s present lineup state of affairs. The switch-hitting Victor Caratini has been the membership’s solely common hitter who bats from the left facet ever since Yordan Alvarez went on the injured listing in late April. In the meantime, heart fielder Jake Meyers is the membership’s solely true outfielder on the roster in the intervening time; longtime second baseman Jose Altuve has begun to separate time between left area, DH, and the keystone this yr, whereas each Smith and Zach Dezenzo have develop into fixtures within the nook outfield combine as nicely regardless of spending the overwhelming majority of their minor league careers at third base.
Chas McCormick was additionally on the roster as a real outfielder alongside Meyers, however he was positioned on the injured listing at this time on account of an indirect pressure and changed by infielder Shay Whitcomb on the roster. Altuve, Smith, and Dezenzo might have been sufficient to deal with the outfield corners even with out McCormick, however Dezenzo left at this time’s recreation with what the group known as “left hand discomfort” and (based on Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle) is scheduled to bear think about tomorrow morning. With Dezenzo doubtlessly out as nicely, it makes loads of sense for Houston to get a lefty bat again into the lineup and shore up an outfield combine in determined want of reinforcements by bringing Melton into the fold.
