Ivan Melendez | |
---|---|
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 93 | |
First baseman / Third baseman | |
Born: El Paso, Texas, U.S. | January 24, 2000|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Ivan Melendez (born January 24,2000),nicknamed "the Hispanic Titanic", [1] is an American professional baseball infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He played college baseball for the Texas Longhorns,winning the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy in 2022.
Melendez grew up in El Paso,Texas,and attended Coronado High School. [2] He spent two seasons playing college baseball at Odessa College,a junior college that competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA),as a third baseman. [3] During Melendez's freshman season at Odessa,he batted .411 with 17 home runs,70 runs batted in (RBIs),and a .896 slugging percentage. He was named third-team NJCAA Division I All-American. [4] Melendez's sophomore season was cut short due to COVID-19. However,during the shortened season,Melendez batted .354 with seven doubles,three triples and four homers.
In 2021,Melendez committed to the University of Texas at Austin to continue his college baseball career with the Texas Longhorns as a redshirt sophomore. During Melendez's first season at Texas,he hit .319 with 13 doubles,3 triples,13 home runs,and 51 RBIs. [5] Melendez hit the go-ahead home run against Mississippi State in the College World Series. [6] Melendez also earned 2021 First-Team All Big 12 Conference honors and the All-Tournament team for the College World Series. [7] [8]
After being selected in the 16th round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft by the Miami Marlins,Melendez chose to return to Texas for his junior year. [9] [10] In 2022,Melendez hit .387 with 96 hits,94 RBIs,and 32 home runs,which broke Kyle Russell's school record and Kris Bryant's national home run record since the BBCOR bats were introduced in 2011. Melendez won Big 12 Player of the Year and also won first team all-Big 12. [11] Nationally,Melendez won the Golden Spikes Award, [12] Dick Howser Trophy,and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper player of the year. [13] [14] Melendez was also awarded American Baseball Coaches Association First Team All-American. [15]
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Melendez in the second round,with the 43rd overall selection,of the 2022 MLB draft. [16] He signed with the team for $1.4 million on July 23,2022. [17]
On June 23,2023,while playing for the High–A Hillsboro Hops,Melendez hit for the cycle in a 10–6 loss to the Everett AquaSox. In doing so,he became the second player in franchise history to hit for the cycle,and the first to do so at home. [18]
The Dick Howser Trophy is bestowed annually to the national college baseball player of the year. The award is named after former collegiate and Major League Baseball (MLB) player and manager Dick Howser,who died as the result of brain cancer on June 17,1987,at the age of 51. In that same year,the award was established by friends of Howser and presented to Mike Fiore,the inaugural winner. It is considered to be the Heisman Trophy of college baseball.
Daniel Victor Klassen is a Canadian former professional baseball infielder. He played four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and one season with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Aaron Walter Hill is an American former professional baseball second baseman. Hill played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays,Arizona Diamondbacks,Milwaukee Brewers,Boston Red Sox,and San Francisco Giants.
Christopher Ryan Snyder is an American former professional baseball catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates,the Arizona Diamondbacks,the Houston Astros and the Baltimore Orioles. He bats and throws right-handed.
Justin Irvin Upton is an American former professional baseball outfielder. Nicknamed "J-Up",he played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks,Atlanta Braves,San Diego Padres,Detroit Tigers,Los Angeles Angels,and Seattle Mariners. He has been a teammate of his brother B. J. Upton with both the Braves and the Padres. While primarily a right fielder throughout his career,Upton has since transitioned to left field for the Braves,Padres and Tigers.
Paul Edward Goldschmidt,nicknamed "Goldy",is an American professional baseball first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also represented the United States in international competition.
Joshua Evan Bell is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates,Washington Nationals,San Diego Padres,Cleveland Guardians and Miami Marlins. Bell made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Pirates.
Kole Alan Calhoun is an American former professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels,Arizona Diamondbacks,Texas Rangers,and Cleveland Guardians. Calhoun played college baseball at Yavapai College and Arizona State University. He was drafted by the Angels in the eighth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft and made his MLB debut in 2012. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2015.
Kristopher Lee Bryant,nicknamed "KB",is an American professional baseball third baseman and outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. Prior to playing professionally,Bryant attended the University of San Diego,where he played college baseball for the Toreros.
Dustin Hunter Renfroe is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres,Tampa Bay Rays,Boston Red Sox,Milwaukee Brewers,Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds.
Cody Marshall Decker is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres in 2015. A right-handed power hitter,he played first base,third base,left field,and could catch.
Seth Michael Beer is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played college baseball for the Clemson Tigers.
Kyle Alexander Lewis is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. Prior to his MLB debut,he played college baseball for the Mercer Bears.
Kody Alec Clemens is an American professional baseball infielder and outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Detroit Tigers. Clemens is the son of seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens.
Shea Ryan Langeliers is an American professional baseball catcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022. He played college baseball for the Baylor Bears.
Joshua Ryne Jung is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders,and was drafted by the Rangers in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft.
Corbin Franklin Carroll is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Diamondbacks selected Carroll 16th overall in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2022. In 2023,Carroll was an MLB All-Star and was named the National League Rookie of the Year en route to winning Arizona's first National League pennant since 2001.
The 2022 Texas Longhorns baseball team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 2022 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Longhorns played their home games at UFCU Disch–Falk Field as a member of the Big 12 Conference. They were led by head coach David Pierce,in his 6th season at Texas.
Thomas Anthony White nicknamed "Tommy Tanks",is an American professional baseball third baseman in the Oakland Athletics organization.