Manuel Melendez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #29 prospect in 2017
  Melendez is a slender product of the Rockies' Latin American program. The native of Venezuela signed as a 17-year-old and spent two years in the Dominican Summer League before coming to the U.S. and having an impressive debut at Rookie-league Grand Junction in 2016. While the Pioneer League batting average is .286, he batted .294 and ranked third in the league with 24 stolen bases. After playing a lot of center field in the DSL, Melendez played primarily right field for Grand Junction and seemed comfortable in both spots. His above-average arm flashes plus, which suits him in right field and provides a bonus in center. He has line-drive pop but lacks corner-profile power, so the Rockies will push him toward center. Melendez has the plus speed to cover ground--in the field and on the bases. He runs consistently to first base in 4.15 seconds, making him a plus runner. The Rockies were impressed enough by Melendez that they brought him to their offseason workout program at their Arizona training complex and figure to promote him to low Class A Asheville in 2017.