Jacob

Melton

Melton connected for his first round-tripper since being promoted last week to Triple-A, after posting 10 homers and 19 steals in 58 games for Double-A Corpus Christi. The 23-year-old is one of the few really interesting prospects left in Houston’s system at this point, but isn’t viewed as an option at the majors this season. He could factor into their outfield mix at some point next year.

Melton, a 2022 second-round pick out of Oregon State, was hitting .248/.306/.442 with 10 homers and 19 steals in 58 games for Double-A Corpus Christi. The 23-year-old outfielder is viewed as one of Houston’s top prospects, though it remains rather unlikely that he’ll reach the majors this year.

The top-ranked prospect in Houston’s system by a considerable margin, Melton missed time earlier this month with a wrist issue, but is starting to revert to form. He sliced an opposite-field shot down the left-field line before pulling a no-doubter to right-center later in the contest. The 23-year-old outfielder has seven homers and 13 steals through 42 contests this season and figures to end the year in Triple-A.

Melton has been on the shelf since May 22. The 2022 second-round pick is hitting .268/.329/.455 with five homers and 10 steals in 32 games for Double-A Corpus Christi.

Dezenzo is the highest profile name included among Houston’s first round of spring cuts as he’s expected to open the year in the upper minors after posting a stellar .914 OPS with 18 homers and 22 steals last year between High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi. There’s a chance he’s the Astros third baseman of the future down the line.