New York Mets outfielder MJ Melendez is showing signs of becoming a more consistent presence in the team’s lineup, with recent performances suggesting he is finding his rhythm at the plate during the 2024 MLB season.
Melendez, who joined the Mets in a trade with the Kansas City Royals during the 2023-2024 offseason, has been working to establish himself as a reliable contributor in Queens after a transitional first half of the season.
According to MLB.com’s official Mets news feed, Melendez recorded a multi-hit game on April 12, 2024, against the Miami Marlins, marking his third such performance in a seven-game stretch. This surge in production has coincided with increased playing time against right-handed pitching, a scenario where he has historically shown more power.
The 25-year-old former Royals prospect, who was selected in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft, has been adjusting to a new role in New York’s outfield mix. Manager Carlos Mendoza has noted in postgame interviews that Melendez’s approach at the plate has turn into more disciplined, particularly in laying off pitches outside the strike zone.
Adjusting to a New Role in Queens
Melendez arrived in New York as part of a three-player deal that sent veteran reliever Brooks Kriske to Kansas City. Since joining the Mets, he has primarily been used in a platoon role in left field, sharing time with Tyler Naquin and occasionally spelling Brandon Nimmo against left-handed starters.
His defensive versatility — capable of playing all three outfield positions — has made him a valuable bench asset, though both the player and coaching staff have expressed interest in seeing him earn more consistent starts.
“He’s been working hard in the cage and it’s starting to show,” Mendoza said following the Marlins series. “He’s recognizing pitches better and staying through the ball, which is exactly what we demand from him in the middle of the order.”
Melendez himself acknowledged the adjustment period in a pregame interview with SNY on April 10, stating, “It’s taken some time to get comfortable with the routine here, but I feel like I’m finally settling in. Seeing the same faces every day helps, and the guys in the clubhouse have made it uncomplicated.”
Performance Trends and Plate Discipline
Through the first 20 games of the 2024 season, Melendez is hitting .241 with a .310 on-base percentage and a .420 slugging percentage, according to Baseball-Reference’s team log for the Mets. While his batting average remains a perform in progress, his on-base skills and occasional power flashes have contributed to his growing role.
Notably, Melendez has reduced his strikeout rate from 31.2% in 2023 to 26.8% so far in 2024, per FanGraphs’ player dashboard, indicating improved contact ability — a key focus during spring training and early-season work with hitting coach Eric Crawford.
He has also shown an increased willingness to work deep counts, drawing five walks in his last 12 games, which has helped elevate his on-base percentage despite fluctuating batting averages.
Looking Ahead: Role and Opportunity
With the Mets navigating a competitive National League East race, consistent production from depth players like Melendez could prove valuable as the season progresses. While he may not yet be an everyday starter, his ability to contribute off the bench and in spot starts adds flexibility to Mendoza’s lineup construction.
The organization has remained patient with his development, citing his youth, defensive utility, and offensive upside as reasons to continue giving him opportunities to adjust.
As of mid-April, Melendez is scheduled to start a series against the Atlanta Braves, a matchup that will test him against one of the NL’s top pitching staffs. How he performs in that series could influence his role in the coming weeks.
For now, the focus remains on maintaining the progress seen in recent games and continuing to refine his approach against major league pitching.
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