The Astros are poised to pick the contract of outfielder Jacob Melton, per a report from Ari Alexander of KPRC2. A corresponding transfer shouldn’t be but identified, however Houston might want to create room on each the 40-man and energetic rosters in an effort 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 high prospect in line with Baseball America’s rating when fellow teenager Cam Smith graduated from prospect standing earlier this month. Scouts have sometimes seen Melton as a roughly common offensive performer, with above common uncooked energy and strong bat-to-ball expertise which might be 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 could limit Melton’s offensive upside, however he’s universally lauded as a strong contributor each within the area and on the basepaths. Moreover, no matter issues scouts could have about Melton’s method haven’t stopped him from succeeding within the minors up to now. In 17 video games on the Triple-A stage to this point this 12 months, Melton has hit a powerful .254/.371/.508. That’s good for a 132 wRC+ even within the inflated offensive setting of the Pacific Coast League. Given these strong numbers, it’s not exhausting 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 very 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 checklist in late April. In the meantime, middle 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 12 months, whereas each Smith and Zach Dezenzo have grow to be fixtures within the nook outfield combine as properly 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 checklist at present as a result of an indirect pressure and changed by infielder Shay Whitcomb on the roster. Altuve, Smith, and Dezenzo could have been sufficient to deal with the outfield corners even with out McCormick, however Dezenzo left at present’s recreation with what the group known as “left hand discomfort” and (in line with Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle) is scheduled to endure think about tomorrow morning. With Dezenzo doubtlessly out as properly, 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.
