Jaime Melendez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #22 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Melendez moved rapidly after signing in 2019 and reached Double-A by the end of his first full professional season in 2021. He returned to Double-A Corpus Christi to begin his 2022 campaign as the second youngest pitcher--behind the Marlins' Eury Perez--to break camp in Double-A. The assignment proved to be too aggressive as Melendez fell flat, going 2-8, 5.01 and walking 15.6% of the batters he faced.
  
  Scouting Report: Melendez is a smaller righthander with a fairly filled-out frame. He throws from a choppy but clean operation, with a quick, fast arm action that slingshots the ball from an overhand slot. Melendez's tempo and 'inverted W' motion in his arm action causes him to fall out of rhythm. His stuff is well above-average across his arsenal but his lack of command is a problem. His fastball is a plus pitch, sitting 93-95 mph touching 98 mph with plus induced vertical break and cut. Despite his struggles overall, Melendez got good results against his fastball, which could play up in a relief role. Melendez mixes a tight mid-80s slider, an upper-70s curveball with depth and a changeup with tumble and fade. On paper, Melendez has a deep mix of plus pitch shapes, but he lacks the control and command to help them play to their potential.
  
  The Future: After being fast-tracked to the upper minors, Melendez will likely return to starting. If he fails to throw enough strikes he could be moved to the bullpen where his fastball will likely play up.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 40. Curveball: 40. Changeup: 55. Control: 40
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #8 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Melendez signed for $195,000 out of Mexico in May 2019 as a slender prospect known more for his craftiness and pitchability than overpowering stuff. He appeared in 11 complex league games upon his arrival and did not pitch in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Melendez added more than 20 pounds to his frame and upped his velocity to ascend three levels of the minors during a breakout 2021. He reached Double-A Corpus Christi for his final three appearances of the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Melendez draws comparisons to a fellow Mexican Astros pitcher: Jose Urquidy. Melendez throws from a high slot and is armed with a sneaky fastball that has substantial carry. After sitting 87-91 mph when he signed, Melendez now sits at 91-93 mph with his fastball and touches 95 on occasion. He generates swings and misses up in the strike zone, aligning perfectly with the Astros’ organization-wide pitching philosophy. His changeup has developed into one of the organization’s best. It has a similar spin rate to his fastball and some two-seam action. He throws a short slider with late break that has plus potential along with a curveball seen as average. His deception, ability to mix all four of his pitches and average control make him an intriguing starting candidate.
  
  The Future: Melendez has four average pitches that he mixes and commands well, but durability remains a concern. He has the upside to be a starter but some evaluators feel he’s destined for middle relief. A full season at Double-A in 2022 may help clear up his future.
  

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Melendez moved rapidly after signing in 2019 and reached Double-A by the end of his first full professional season in 2021. He returned to Double-A Corpus Christi to begin his 2022 campaign as the second youngest pitcher--behind the Marlins' Eury Perez--to break camp in Double-A. The assignment proved to be too aggressive as Melendez fell flat, going 2-8, 5.01 and walking 15.6% of the batters he faced.
  
  Scouting Report: Melendez is a smaller righthander with a fairly filled-out frame. He throws from a choppy but clean operation, with a quick, fast arm action that slingshots the ball from an overhand slot. Melendez's tempo and 'inverted W' motion in his arm action causes him to fall out of rhythm. His stuff is well above-average across his arsenal but his lack of command is a problem. His fastball is a plus pitch, sitting 93-95 mph touching 98 mph with plus induced vertical break and cut. Despite his struggles overall, Melendez got good results against his fastball, which could play up in a relief role. Melendez mixes a tight mid-80s slider, an upper-70s curveball with depth and a changeup with tumble and fade. On paper, Melendez has a deep mix of plus pitch shapes, but he lacks the control and command to help them play to their potential.
  
  The Future: After being fast-tracked to the upper minors, Melendez will likely return to starting. If he fails to throw enough strikes he could be moved to the bullpen where his fastball will likely play up.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 40. Curveball: 40. Changeup: 55. Control: 40
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Melendez moved rapidly after signing in 2019 and reached Double-A by the end of his first full professional season in 2021. He returned to Double-A Corpus Christi to begin his 2022 campaign as the second youngest pitcher--behind the Marlins' Eury Perez--to break camp in Double-A. The assignment proved to be too aggressive as Melendez fell flat, going 2-8, 5.01 and walking 15.6% of the batters he faced.
  
  Scouting Report: Melendez is a smaller righthander with a fairly filled-out frame. He throws from a choppy but clean operation, with a quick, fast arm action that slingshots the ball from an overhand slot. Melendez's tempo and 'inverted W' motion in his arm action causes him to fall out of rhythm. His stuff is well above-average across his arsenal but his lack of command is a problem. His fastball is a plus pitch, sitting 93-95 mph touching 98 mph with plus induced vertical break and cut. Despite his struggles overall, Melendez got good results against his fastball, which could play up in a relief role. Melendez mixes a tight mid-80s slider, an upper-70s curveball with depth and a changeup with tumble and fade. On paper, Melendez has a deep mix of plus pitch shapes, but he lacks the control and command to help them play to their potential.
  
  The Future: After being fast-tracked to the upper minors, Melendez will likely return to starting. If he fails to throw enough strikes he could be moved to the bullpen where his fastball will likely play up.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 40. Curveball: 40. Changeup: 55. Control: 40
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Melendez signed for $195,000 out of Mexico in May 2019 as a slender prospect known more for his craftiness and pitchability than overpowering stuff. He appeared in 11 complex league games upon his arrival and did not pitch in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Melendez added more than 20 pounds to his frame and upped his velocity to ascend three levels of the minors during a breakout 2021. He reached Double-A Corpus Christi for his final three appearances of the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Melendez draws comparisons to a fellow Mexican Astros pitcher: Jose Urquidy. Melendez throws from a high slot and is armed with a sneaky fastball that has substantial carry. After sitting 87-91 mph when he signed, Melendez now sits at 91-93 mph with his fastball and touches 95 on occasion. He generates swings and misses up in the strike zone, aligning perfectly with the Astros&#39 organization-wide pitching philosophy. His changeup has developed into one of the organization&#39s best. It has a similar spin rate to his fastball and some two-seam action. He throws a short slider with late break that has plus potential along with a curveball seen as average. His deception, ability to mix all four of his pitches and average control make him an intriguing starting candidate.
  
  The Future: Melendez has four average pitches that he mixes and commands well, but durability remains a concern. He has the upside to be a starter but some evaluators feel he&#39s destined for middle relief. A full season at Double-A in 2022 may help clear up his future.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Curveball: 45. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Melendez signed for $195,000 out of Mexico in May 2019 as a slender prospect known more for his craftiness and pitchability than overpowering stuff. He appeared in 11 complex league games upon his arrival and did not pitch in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Melendez added more than 20 pounds to his frame and upped his velocity to ascend three levels of the minors during a breakout 2021. He reached Double-A Corpus Christi for his final three appearances of the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Melendez draws comparisons to a fellow Mexican Astros pitcher: Jose Urquidy. Melendez throws from a high slot and is armed with a sneaky fastball that has substantial carry. After sitting 87-91 mph when he signed, Melendez now sits at 91-93 mph with his fastball and touches 95 on occasion. He generates swings and misses up in the strike zone, aligning perfectly with the Astros’ organization-wide pitching philosophy. His changeup has developed into one of the organization’s best. It has a similar spin rate to his fastball and some two-seam action. He throws a short slider with late break that has plus potential along with a curveball seen as average. His deception, ability to mix all four of his pitches and average control make him an intriguing starting candidate.
  
  The Future: Melendez has four average pitches that he mixes and commands well, but durability remains a concern. He has the upside to be a starter but some evaluators feel he’s destined for middle relief. A full season at Double-A in 2022 may help clear up his future.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Signed out of Mexico in 2019, Melendez is a short (5-foot-8) but filled out (190 pounds) righthander with the ability to mix four average to above-average pitches. His 91-94 mph fastball has life at the top of the zone and he can also make hitters swing and miss with a mid-80s slider. He also mixes in a hard change and a curve. He's taken well to the Astros tandem-starter approach, earning a promotion to Asheville.