7-Day IL
Injury Back
Est. Return 4/11/2025
2025 Stats
AVG
.000
HR
0
RBI
0
R
0
SB
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Melton may not be quite ready for primetime, but he'll likely get a shot as a regular in Houston's outfield sometime this season. Known best for his ability to play quality outfield defense in all three spots, Melton has good size (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) and is a plus runner with a chance to hit 20-plus home runs in a season, but his hit tool still needs refinement. He slashed .260/.314/.405 with five home runs, 11 steals, a 25 percent strikeout rate and a 6.8 percent walk rate in 47 games of Pacific Coast League action, which was well below league average (78 wRC+). On the season, he hit .253 with 15 home runs and 30 steals in 105 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. Melton's ability to steal 20-plus bases in a season is his main fantasy appeal in 2025, but he could develop into a more well-rounded fantasy outfielder in 2026 and 2027, and his defense should keep buying him opportunities amid early-career struggles. Read Past Outlooks
Placed on IL with back injury
Triple-A Sugar Land placed Melton (back) on the injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Melton dealt with a back issue throughout the spring and re-injured himself while making a diving play during Grapefruit League action. The No. 64 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Melton ended last season with Triple-A Sugar Land after being bumped up from Double-A. Across 105 minor-league contests last year, Melton slashed .253/.310/.426 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI, 59 runs scored and 30 stolen bases.
Melton dealt with a back issue throughout the spring and re-injured himself while making a diving play during Grapefruit League action. The No. 64 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Melton ended last season with Triple-A Sugar Land after being bumped up from Double-A. Across 105 minor-league contests last year, Melton slashed .253/.310/.426 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI, 59 runs scored and 30 stolen bases.
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2024 Fantasy Outlook
The 6-foot-3 Melton has intriguing tools, with above-average power and plus speed, but it's still to be determined if he will make enough contact to be a regular. He is already 23 (turns 24 in September), and while his line as an old-for-the-level player at High-A was fine (.244/.338/.453), it wasn't the type of offensive production most older prospects manage while playing half their games in the hitter's paradise in Asheville. Melton hit 23 home runs with 46 steals in 99 games, so the power and speed is tantalizing, but his age/level is going to be working against him unless he absolutely destroys Double-A and Triple-A pitching this year. Defensively, he might fit best long term in left field, which would put more pressure on his bat.
More Fantasy News
Cleared for Spring Breakout game
Melton (back) is listed on Houston's roster for its March 14 Spring Breakout game versus Washington prospects, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Among five reassigned
The Astros reassigned Melton to minor-league camp Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
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Nursing sore back
Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Melton is dealing with mild back soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Darkhorse for roster spot
Melton could push to make the Opening Day roster in 2025, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com suggests.
ANALYSIS
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Moves up to Triple-A
The Astros promoted Melton from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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