Royals release catcher MJ Melendez after three straight down seasons

MJ Melendez cleans out locker after Royals designate him for assignment.

Kansas City Royals released catcher-outfielder MJ Melendez on Sunday after designating him for assignment last week. The 28-year-old appeared in just 23 games last season with a .083 average and 23 strikeouts in 60 at-bats. Melendez clears waivers and becomes a free agent following four inconsistent major league campaigns.

Royals signed Melendez to a minor league deal after Triple-A Omaha released him in January. He spent most of 2025 in Triple-A posting a .240 average with 12 homers in 78 games. Kansas City called him up briefly in September but optioned him back down after poor plate appearances.

Melendez burst onto the scene with 18 homers as a 2022 rookie. He followed with 16 long balls in 2023 but struck out 170 times against a .235 average. The Royals shifted him between catcher left field and right field without settling on a defensive home.

Savvy Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino anchor Kansas City's young core now. General manager J.J. Picollo rebuilt around internal options at catcher with Freddy Fermin and Logan Porter. Melendez earned $740000 in arbitration last year before the Royals non-tendered him in December.

The former first-round supplemental pick turns 29 in November. He hit .301 with 37 homers across four minor league seasons before promotion. Melendez drew interest from National League clubs seeking lefty platoon bats during the offseason.

Omaha Storm Chasers open Triple-A play next month with Melendez now seeking employment elsewhere. Royals president John Sherman praised Melendez's professionalism during a tough development stretch. Kansas City eyes Salvador Perez's eventual catching successor through the farm system.