KC Royals’ MJ Melendez ‘simplified’ his swing. He knows his chances won’t last forever
MJ Melendez sat solemnly at his locker following the Kansas City Royals’ season-ending loss to the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the American League Divisional Series.
The emotions that day at Kauffman Stadium were something he’d rarely felt before.
“I didn’t have the personal year I wanted offensively,” Melendez said after the ALDS. “It helps when you are winning definitely and it can help with the day-to-day. But obviously I want to be able to contribute to the team.”
Just 26, Melendez had — still has — all the tools to be a successful big-leaguer. In 2021, he batted .288 with 41 home runs and 103 RBIs across two minor-league levels.
He was consistently driving the baseball to all fields. In fact, he had a 1.011 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in the minors that season.
The Royals thought they’d seen a snapshot of what was to come.
Four years later, they’re still waiting for that version of Melendez to present itself consistently.
“I think I showed bits and flashes of what I can do in parts of three seasons in the big leagues now,” Melendez said after the season ended. “... I learned a lot in the first three years, but it’s looking in the mirror and seeing what I need to do to be better.”
This offseason, that meant spending more time in the batting cage. Melendez worked alongside his father, Mervyl Sr., to reconstruct his approach at the plate.
Melendez learned that he struggled to maintain his balance on contact. He used a high-leg kick to start his swing motion and load toward the plate. At times, he would expand too much and leave himself exposed on the inner half of the strike zone.
Opposing pitchers would take advantage. Melendez would chase pitches that were down in the zone — pitches he simply couldn’t reach with the barrel of his bat.
One example came against L.A. Angels ace Shohei Othani. In 2023, the superstar pitcher struck out Melendez on an 86 mph sweeper. Melendez started his swing as usual but failed to cover the bottom half of the plate.
He pulled off the ball and swung well over the pitch.
“I just wanted to settle my swing down,” Melendez said earlier this week. “Obviously, everything before it, I had a big leg kick, so I kind of took that out. Also, my hands started a little bit more out in front of me. So it was bringing them in a spot where they can fire from.”
Melendez said being off-balance in this way hurt his production. He has a career .221 batting average in the majors with 51 home runs, 162 RBIs and a .397 slugging percentage in 412 games.
But last season, the best in a decade for the Royals, was also marked by career lows in multiple statistical categories for Melendez. His stats sagged so much that the Royals sought to bolster their outfield with a middle-of-the-order bat via free agency this offseason.
So far, that search has been uneventful. But KC’s coaching staff is also experimenting with using infielders Jonathan India — newly acquired from the Reds — and Michael Massey in left field.
Melendez was supposed to provide that offensive spark. The former top prospect who rose to No. 2 overall in KC’s 2022 minor-league class believes he still can.
“I want to play this game as long as possible and I want to play at the highest level,” he said. “That comes with consistency, and I don’t think anything should be given. I’m very thankful for this organization (and) that I have been given plenty of opportunities. And I just want to prove them right.”
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the changes Melendez has made look good so far.
“They are simplified and there is less movement,” Quatraro said. “It’s being on time and trying to be on time more consistently. And we know timing comes and goes. It’s not something you have and never lose it again. I think he is putting himself in the best situation and best position to be on time.”
The high-leg kick is gone. Melendez’s hands appear to move more smoothly throughout his swing. In baseball parlance, he’s driving the ball more, not pulling it all the time.
“I feel like I’ve been able to have that approach a little bit more in lives (live batting practice sessions),” he said. “Some balls have gone that way and some I’ve pulled. … It just kind of proves to myself that I have super-quick hands and I have that bat speed to be able to react.”
The next test will come during Cactus League play, which begins Friday as the Royals take on the Texas Rangers (2:05 p.m. Central Time at Surprise Stadium).
Melendez is feeling confident.
“I do genuinely feel this is, you know, the most confident I’ve been coming into camp,” Melendez said. “I’m definitely very excited.”
