Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton was assigned to minor-league camp. Melton is considered one of the top bats in the Houston system and was approaching his MLB debut. Last season, the former second-round selection received his first extended look at Double-A and even made his Triple-A debut. Across 58 games at Double-A, Melton posted a .248/.406./442 slash line with 10 doubles, 10 home runs, and 19 stolen bases. In his first 47 games with Triple-A Sugar Land, the Oregon State product posted a .260/.314/.405 slash line with 10 doubles, five home runs, and 11 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should monitor his development at the beginning of the season as he could push for an early 2025 MLB debut as he has already received a look at Triple-A. Given Houston's lack of outfield depth, he could receive a promotion early in the 2025 season.
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that outfield prospect Jacob Melton (back) is dealing with some mild back soreness at camp. We can probably consider Melton day-to-day for now. The 24-year-old could be delayed getting into Grapefruit League games in spring training, but it doesn't sound like an injury that will cause him to get a late start to the 2025 season. He's one of the team's top prospects and should make his major-league debut at some point this year, although it wouldn't surprise us one bit if he starts the year at Triple-A Sugar Land. With Sugar Land and Double-A Corpus Christi in 2024, Melton hit 15 home runs and stole 30 bags. He is versatile with the glove and can play all outfield spots and has clear 20-homer potential in a full season in the big leagues down the road. The former second-rounder should be stashed in dynasty/keeper formats.
Jacob Melton Has Opportunity To Make Impact For Astros
MLB.com's Brian McTaggart mentions outfielders Jacob Melton and Zach Dezenzo as having real opportunities to make an impact at the major-league level in 2025 for the Houston Astros. Per MLB Pipeline, Melton is the club's No. 2 prospect, while Dezenzo checks in at No. 6. Melton could push to make the team out of spring training, while Dezenzo will compete to make the team this spring, primarily as a left fielder. The 24-year-old Melton made it up to Triple-A Sugar Land in 2024 and hit a combined .253/.310/.426 with 15 homers, 54 RBI and 30 stolen bases combined at Sugar Land and Double-A Corpus Christi in 105 total games. He has intriguing power/speed skills and could become a fantasy asset sooner than later, but Dezenzo has a much better shot at playing time early in the year after making his MLB debut in 2024 and playing in 19 games.
Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton is expected to make his major-league debut in 2025, but that won't guarantee him everyday playing time. As a result, the Astros tendered contracts to both Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers for the 2025 campaign. Houston would like to add a left-handed bat that could help McCormick and Meyers as options in center field, but the team remains bullish on both players despite their offensive struggles in 2024. Melton, the team's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, has the most upside after slashing .253/.310/.426 with 15 home runs and 30 steals split between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land this year. He spent time at all three outfield spots but played mostly center field. The left-handed hitter's power/speed profile stands out, and the Astros could need his bat if both McCormick and Meyers struggle to hit in 2025.
Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton went 2-for-4 with his first Triple-A home run. Melton was prompted to Triple-A Sugar Land on July 25. The top prospect in the Houston system has held his own there with a .233/.361/.400 line. He has posted three multi-hit games. Earlier this season, in his second look at Double-A ball, the outfielder posted a solid .248/.306/.442 line with 10 home runs, 19 stolen bases, and 34 RBI in 58 games. The Oregon State product could push for a major league debut later this summer, especially if the Astros continue to be without All-Star outfielder Kyler Tucker (leg).
Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton went 2-for-5 with a double, a walk, and two runs in his Triple-A debut on Thursday evening. The top prospect in the Houston system spent the first half of the season getting a second look at Double-A ball and held a solid .248/.304/.442 line across a 58-game stint. He went deep 10 times and swiped 19 bags. Since joining the Astros organization in 2022 via a second-round selection, Melton has progressed through the minor leagues fairly quickly and could spend most of next season in the major leagues. The Oregon State product is worth stashing in dynasty leagues if he continues to perform well at Triple-A, as he could reach the majors right out of Spring Training in 2025.
The Houston Astros promoted outfield prospect Jacob Melton to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, according to a source. Melton, the team's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned the promotion to Sugar Land by hitting .248/.307/.443 with a .749 OPS, 10 home runs, 10 doubles, two triples, 34 RBI, 19 stolen bases and 32 runs scored in 58 games with Double-A Corpus Christi. The 23-year-old was slowed by a wrist injury earlier this year, which may be the primary reason why his numbers at Corpus Christi don't exactly jump off the page. The 6-foot-2, 208-pounder has an exciting blend of power and speed from the left side of the plate after being drafted in the second round in 2022 out of Oregon State. Melton will now look to impress at the top minor-league affiliate before potentially making his debut at some point in 2025.
Jacob Melton Crushes Home Run For Double-A Corpus Christi
Houston Astros top overall prospect Jacob Melton went 2-for-5 with a homer for Double-A Corpus Christi on Wednesday. The 23-year-old outfielder is hitting .248 with 10 homers and 34 RBI to go with 19 stolen bases this season for Corpus Christi. The sweet-swinging lefty with elite speed is hitting .250 in July with two homers and five RBI. He doesn't offer outrageous power potential, but he is a solid hitter with the ability to be a difference-maker in the stolen base department. Melton likely needs a bit more minor-league seasoning, but a major-league debut next season could be in the cards.
Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton has looked solid through his first extended look at the Double-A level and is making a strong case to move up to Triple-A later in the summer. Across 53 games, the top prospect in the Houston system has posted a .249/.310/.439 slash line with nine home runs, 32 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. Last summer, Melton logged only 13 games at Double-A and posted a .250/.304/.558 line with five home runs and five swiped bags. In addition, since the start of July the Oregon State product is riding a .257 AVG, which is a significant improvement compared to the .191 AVG he held through June. Melton is expected to reach the majors next summer.
Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton went 2-for-5 with two home runs on Friday evening. These were his first round-trippers in 16 games. Melton suffered a minor wrist injury in May, which slowed him down in the early part of the season. Through 42 games in his first extended look at Double-A ball, the top prospect in the Houston system has posted a .253/.313/.457 slash line with seven home runs, 28 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and a 13:38 BB:K ratio. Last summer, the former second-round pick got a brief taste of Double-A, where he tallied 13 hits across 13 games with a .250/.304/.559 line. Melton is considered the 70th-best prospect on MLB.com and remains on track to meet his 2025 major league ETA.
Jacob Melton
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Astros
