“Astros’ Top Outfield Prospect Jacob Melton Lands on Minor League Injured List”
Houston Astros fans hoping for some fresh outfield talent from the minors will have to wait a little longer, as top prospect Jacob Melton has been placed on the minor league injured list. The promising outfielder, who had been making waves in the Astros’ farm system, is now sidelined with upper back discomfort while playing for Triple-A Sugar Land. The move, which was retroactive to last Friday, came after Melton aggravated his back injury during a diving catch in one of the Astros’ final spring training games in Florida. It’s reported that Melton had been dealing with back issues throughout spring training.
The Astros’ hope for outfield depth from their minor league system will be slowed down temporarily, as Melton now faces a 7-day stint on the injured list—the minimum allowed for a minor league player. The move marks a brief setback in an otherwise exciting career for the 22-year-old outfielder, who had quickly risen to prominence within the Astros’ organization.
Melton’s journey to the top of Houston’s prospect rankings began midway through the 2023 season, when he was named the Astros’ No. 1 overall prospect. His rise came in the wake of the team’s trade of talent to the New York Mets for pitcher Justin Verlander, a move that temporarily left the outfielder as the top-rated prospect in the system. However, this year, Cam Smith has taken over the No. 1 spot, moving Melton down to No. 3 on the list, behind infielder Brice Matthews, who now holds the No. 2 position.
Selected by the Astros in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Oregon State, Melton made an immediate impact in the minors, having played 19 games at Class-A Carolina before quickly advancing up to Triple-A. With the Space Cowboys’ season underway, Melton’s absence is certainly a setback, but his development is far from derailed. In his minor league career, Melton has slashed .250/.325/.773, with 42 home runs and 122 RBIs to his name. His impressive power and ability to hit for extra bases have made him a key figure in the Astros’ future plans.
While his progress will be temporarily delayed, Melton’s potential as a future contributor for the Astros remains high. The team’s outfield depth might have to wait a little longer, but this young prospect still has a bright future ahead in Houston.