El Paso's Ivan Melendez finds success in minor league baseball
In his first full season of professional baseball, El Paso's Ivan Melendez is enjoying the process of looking to work his way up the ranks of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
Melendez is playing with the High-A Hillsboro Hops in Hillsboro, Oregon in the Northwest League.
"It's baseball non-stop," Melendez said. "I enjoy it, it's a good league and I'm getting some great experiences. I had my first spring, my first strength camp this year to get ready for this summer, it's all been a learning experience."
Melendez is hitting .274 with nine homers and 25 runs batted in. The nine homers are a team high, the 25 RBI are the second most on the team and the .274 batting average is third on the team.
Melendez, who is a Coronado graduate, has dealt with some injuries that slowed him earlier this season, including taking a pitch to the face that kept him off the field for a couple of weeks.
"I just had to be patient and I feel like I'm making progress at the plate and in the field," said Melendez, who is playing at first base and third base. "I feel like playing two positions is good and will help me down the road, it shows my versatility."
Melendez was selected No. 43 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks of last year's 2022 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of Texas. The No. 43 pick was the Diamondbacks’ only pick in the second round.
Melendez won every major college player of the year award after his mammoth season at the plate for the Longhorns in 2022. He capped this year winning the Golden Spikes Award, given to the country’s best amateur baseball player by USA Baseball after his school-record 32 home runs. He was also a Junior College All-American at Odessa College after high school.
Melendez got in 120 at-bats last year in Rookie League ball and Single-A to start his pro career.
"The pitching here in High-A is very good, it's very clean there are some great arms. The pitchers are more consistent," Melendez. "I really like this team in Hillsboro, we have a good group of guys. We all support each other and we work hard. The speed of the game is slowing down for me and every day is a learning experience for me. The ultimate goal is to continue to get better and reach the major leagues some day."
Hernaiz faring well
Former Americas shortstop Darell Hernaiz is hitting .335 with four homers, 30 RBI and an on-base percentage of .400 for the Double-A Midland Rockhounds, an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. He began his career in the Baltimore Orioles organization but was traded to the Oakland A's organization before the start of the 2023 season.
More: Ivan Melendez earns award El Paso's Ivan Melendez named National Player of Year by Collegiate Baseball
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso's Ivan Melendez finds success in minor league baseball
