Royals outfielder MJ Melendez clobbers 10th home run atop Fenway Park’s Green Monster
Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez had a reservation atop the Green Monster at Fenway Park Tuesday night.
Melendez drilled a 95.7-mph fastball into the left-field seats. It was his 10th home run of the season, as he sent the pitch the opposite way. In his last 12 at-bats following Tuesday’s 9-3 Royals win, Melendez has five hits and two home runs — including a three-hit effort Monday night.
“I’m just trying to focus and stay up the middle,” Melendez said of his hitting approach.
Melendez also made an adjustment in his swing. He has worked to not over-rotate during his swing path to the baseball. Instead, he is staying in the strike zone longer and driving the baseball to all fields.
That was the exact formula against Red Sox reliever Dinelson Lamet.
Melendez stayed back on the baseball and let his momentum carry him through the swing. He got his front foot down quickly and utilized his bat speed to drive through the strike zone.
He made contact with the barrel of the bat. The baseball exploded into the air and traveled 402 feet with a 103.3-mph exit velocity.
“Three hits yesterday and a home run today,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He took a walk today as well. A lot of positives are starting to pile up for him.”
The Royals hit three home runs against the Red Sox on Tuesday night. Royals duo Drew Waters and Michael Massey also hit homers. KC recorded 15 hits in a 9-3 rout over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Massey believes Melendez is locked in at the plate. He said it was good to see him thrive after his adjustments in the batting cage.
“MJ looks great,” Massey said. “He’s obviously made some adjustments and I think a lot of it goes to the hitting coaches. They are constantly in our ear giving us drills.
“MJ is doing a great job doing that.”
Melendez is now hitting .220 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs. He has a .583 slugging percentage in his last seven games.
This story was originally published August 8, 2023 at 11:08 PM.
