Melton made his professional debut with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, throwing a total of five innings for the season. He returned to Lakeland to open the 2023 season before being promoted to the West Michigan Whitecaps in mid-May.[4][5] Over 23 games (22 starts) between the two teams, he went 3–1 with a 2.74 ERA and 94 strikeouts over 92 innings.[6] Melton was assigned to the Erie SeaWolves to open the 2024 season.[7] Over 23 starts, he pitched to a 7–8 record, a 5.10 ERA and 119 strikeouts over 100+2⁄3 innings.[8] He missed time near the end of the season due to a shoulder injury.[9] Melton returned to Erie to open the 2025 season and was promoted to the Toledo Mud Hens in early June.[10]
On July 23, 2025, Melton was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[11] He made his first start that evening against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[12] In his second career major league start on July 28 (his first start at home), Melton earned his first win by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 5–1 victory.[13] Melton threw seven scoreless innings during the game, giving up five hits and no walks, with five strikeouts.[14] Over 16 appearances (four starts) for Detroit during the regular season, Melton went 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA over 45+2⁄3 innings.[15]
On October 4, 2025, Melton made his first career postseason start in Game 1 of the 2025 American League Division Series versus the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.[16] He gave up one earned run (a solo home run), walked one batter, and struck out four over four innings as the Tigers won 3–2.[17] Melton was awarded the Detroit Tigers rookie of the year award by the Detroit Sports Media organization.
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