KC Royals’ MJ Melendez had a unique rookie season, forced his way into daily lineup

Injury and circumstances left the door ajar early this season. So Kansas City Royals rookie catcher MJ Melendez wedged his foot in in the opening, then used his bat like a crowbar and forced his way into the lineup and the club’s immediate plans.

The Royals front office was conscious of the potential eventuality of Melendez earning his way to the big leagues while the face of franchise Salvador Perez still reigned as the club’s everyday catcher.

Perez’s credentials include seven All-Star appearances, a World Series MVP, multiple Gold Gloves and Silver Slugger awards.

But the idea of carving out playing for the highly-regarded Melendez alongside Perez remained theoretical until Melendez showed he could be a dangerous hitter in the majors and ran down fly balls like his hair was on fire.

Ultimately, his performance compelled the Royals to start thinking creatively and with immediacy.

Now, Melendez likely pencils into next year’s starting lineup along with Perez.

“It wasn’t realistic until MJ showed he could play the outfield at a high level,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said.

Melendez’s promotion to the majors on May 2 followed an injury to backup catcher Cam Gallagher. Then he got the lion’s share of the playing time when Perez went on the IL due to thumb surgery.

Matheny was quite frank in acknowledging that he wasn’t sure how the day-to-day maneuvering might work with two catchers in the lineup on a regular basis.

“I had no idea, but I hadn’t seen (Melendez) in the outfield,” Matheny said. “So, I didn’t know. I was hoping the bat would play to where you’d want it in the lineup, and that’s an absolute. So I think we’ve seen a lot from something that we didn’t think we were going to see. His bat just worked him into the lineup, and then his athleticism made the outfield real.”

Entering Monday, Melendez had started 63 games at catcher, 38 games in the outfield and 21 games as designated hitter in the majors.

“It’s been a pretty unique and crazy year,” Melendez said during the team’s last homestand. “Obviously, it’s a year that’s been full of adjustments. It’s something that you can’t really plan for in the offseason.

“It’s been really fun and something where I can go into this offseason and know the things I need to work on. Then come back next year and have an even better year.”

Melendez made some incredibly-athletic plays in the outfield, including diving catches and a pair of outfield assists.

But the outfield is still a new position for him, which has shown at times in either misjudging a ball, his route to the ball, or airing out a throw that allows a runner to advance a base.

Despite just being introduced to the outfield this spring in the minors, Melendez pointed to his defense in the outfield as an area he wants to clean up this offseason.

“Obviously, you’re going to make mistakes,” Melendez said. “It’s part of the game. Just trying to go out there and be myself, not be timid. Go try to make plays, because that’s what I do, and not be afraid to make any mistakes.”

More than a slugger, and more to come

Last season in the minors, Melendez slashed .288/.386/.625 and mashed 41 home runs in 123 games between Double-A and Triple-A. He led all hitters in the minors in homers.

He was the first player since 2016 to hit 40 homers or more in a single minor-league season, the 14th player to do so since 1990. He also became the first primary catcher with 40 homers or more in the minors since Todd Greene hit 40 in 1995.

Added to the Royals’ 40-man roster this offseason, Melendez has always insisted that he never viewed himself as simply a “power hitter.”

Since July 12, has served as the Royals’ primary leadoff hitter. Including Monday, he made 62 of his 122 starts while batting out of the leadoff spot in the batting order, typically in front of his fellow rookie standout Bobby Witt Jr.

“It’s incredible, just the at-bats he puts in day in and day out,” Witt said. “It’s really fun just to be that close, being able to watch him do his thing up there. Just the ball of his bat, it’s incredible.

“The positions he puts his body in and just to be able to put the barrel on the ball, (he can) do some incredible things. It’s fun just to see him compete up there.”

Through his first 126 games in the big leagues, Melendez launched 18 home runs and 66 walks. He entered Monday night with a slash line of .224/.321/.405.

He’s one of eight first-year players in American League history with at least 18 homers and 66 walks in a season, the first since Eric Hinske in 2002.

Melendez also led all MLB rookies in walks and ranked among the rookie leaders in RBIs (fifth, 62), home runs (tied for fifth), extra-base hits (sixth, 42) and total bases (seventh, 181).

“I wish I could have had a little bit better hitting season, being my first season,” Melendez said. “But it what it is. It’s part of the game. It’s baseball. Next year, just come back, have a better season.”

Specifically, Melendez said he wants to be “more consistent” and hit for a higher average.

Part of the adjustment this season has been learning how to approach at-bats, getting a feel for what big-league pitchers will do in certain counts or certain situations.

Where a pitcher in the minors might shy away from off-speed when behind in the count, there’s no fear in big-league pitchers and they’ve got elite command.

The quality of his at-bats and his willingness to take walks played a major factor in him moving into the leadoff spot.

While not oblivious to that, Melendez also isn’t satisfied with the results he’s had this season.

“I have put together some good at-bats,” Melendez said. “Obviously, I’m not taking anything away from that. I just hold myself to a higher standard. As much as I might get praise for having those good at-bats, I want to continue to do that and even be better next year. Really do all I can to help us win and put us in good situations every game.”