MIKE JANES
MIKE JANES
BA GRADE
55
Risk: Extreme
HIT: 50.
POW: 55.
SPD: 50.
FLD: 60.
ARM: 60.
Born: Nov. 29, 1998. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 185. Drafted: HS—Palmetto Bay, Fla., 2017 (2nd round). Signed by: Alex Mesa.
Melendez comes from a baseball family, with his father currently the head coach at Florida International. The Royals took him in the second round, knowing that it would take an over-slot bonus to lure him away from the chance of playing college ball for his dad.
After signing for $2,097,500, Melendez began his pro career in the Rookie-level Arizona League where he ranked as the 13th best prospect. Melendez brings a lot of tools and athleticism to the field, an advanced player for his age. At the plate, Melendez gets good carry off the bat with power to all fields, albeit with some swing and miss. He tends to get rotational in the batter’s box with a deep barrel dip and gets his weight out in front, so improvements to his swing will help. He’s an average or better runner now, which is good speed for a catcher. Melendez’ calling card is his defense behind the plate. He’s athletic with quick feet, good lateral mobility and good hands. Melendez is a smart game-caller and being bilingual gives him an edge in working with his pitchers. He’s got at least a plus arm with sub-2.0 pop times, although some scouts put a plus-plus grade on his arm strength. He gets rid of the ball quickly and can throw from his knees, and while his arm stroke is a little long he makes up for it with arm strength and explosiveness from the crouch.
Melendez projects as a first-division regular catcher at the big league level. He may be advanced enough to tag along with draftmate Pratto, heading to low Class A Lexington to start the 2018 season.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2017 |
Royals (AZL) |
R |
.262 |
47 |
168 |
25 |
44 |
Minor League Totals |
.262 |
47 |
168 |
25 |
44 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2017 |
Royals (AZL) |
8 |
3 |
4 |
30 |
26 |
Minor League Totals |
8 |
3 |
4 |
30 |
26 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2017 |
Royals (AZL) |
60 |
4 |
2 |
.374 |
.417 |
Minor League Totals |
60 |
4 |
2 |
.374 |
.417 |
|