With the 64th pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, the Houston Astros selected outfielder Jacob Melton from Oregon State University.
The Pac-12 player of the year, Melton put together an incredible junior season slashing .360/.424/.671 with 22 2B, 17 HR, 83 RBI, 21 SB in 63 games. Melton was ranked #39 by MLB.com and they had this to say about him:
“After a stellar high school career at South Bedford High School in Oregon, Melton began his college career at Linn-Benton Community College, also in the Beaver State. From there, Melton moved on to Oregon State and after barely playing in the shortened 2020 season, he hit .404 over 32 games in 2021. He’s continued to swing the bat well in 2022 while becoming the everyday center fielder. Melton has the chance to do some damage from the left side of the plate. He has an advanced approach at the plate and makes a ton of contact. He also has a good amount of juice to his pull side, and he’s tapped into that power even more in 2022, leading some scouts to think he might have better than average pop in the future. A plus runner, Melton can take the extra base and is an efficient basestealer as well. In 2021, Melton showed that not only is he capable of playing center and the outfield corners, but he saw a good amount of time at first base as well. He has a good chance of sticking up the middle now, however, with a strong enough arm for right should the need arise.”
Melton adds to the talented outfield group the Astros have in their system. Congratulations to Jacob Melton for being drafted to the Houston Astros!
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