When a franchise is trying to crawl out of irrelevance, there’s no room for sentimentality—just performance. The Kansas City Royals know this all too well. Struggling bats and sky-high hopes don’t mix well, especially when you’re burning through millions for production that never shows up. So, when things go south, someone’s got to pay the price. And this time, the Royals didn’t hesitate to send the message loud and clear.
It is never good for a player to get demoted to the minor leagues, but for MJ Melendez, it might be the door to a new opportunity. MJ Melendez has not been performing well for the Kansas City Royals, and manager JJ Picollo made a decision to send him down.
When asked about this during an interview, Picollo said, “It’s certainly not the end of his career. We would like to think it’s the start of a new beginning… Play well and get back here.” While most would think that this is the end of Melendez, Picollo certainly thinks differently.
This is a sudden downfall that Melendez has shown in the 2025 season. His last 2 seasons were very good, and he also had good numbers on board. In 2023, Melendez was batting with an average of .217 with 18 HRs and 62 RBIs. He had almost the same numbers in the 2024 season as well. The other thing that should give Melendez hope is the players who have had the same career path as him.
JJ Picollo on MJ Melendez option: “It’s certainly not the end of his career. We would like to think it’s the start of a new beginning. Take advantage of the opportunity to play in triple-A. Play well and get back here.” pic.twitter.com/YbpguXEHV9
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) April 19, 2025
One of the best examples in MLB history is Chris Carpenter. After getting picked in the first round by the Blue Jays, he was very raw and could not get time due to constant injuries. He then got demoted to the minors and later signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals. After missing the 2003 season with injuries, his 2004 season was the one to watch. This was like his return arc, and every season after that, he was a master at work.
If Chris Carpenter could rise from the ashes of injury and mediocrity to become a Cy Young winner and World Series ace, then surely MJ Melendez can bounce back from a demotion to Omaha. After all, baseball’s graveyard is littered with players who gave up too soon—and Melendez isn’t buried yet. The spotlight may be off for now, but the next act could still be his best. If not, well… there’s always Omaha Steaks.
With MJ Melendez gone, how will the Royals fill the hole?
In a world where opportunity is only as valuable as the performance that comes with it, the Kansas City Royals have made a bold call, sending MJ Melendez to the minors. After all, when you’re hitting .085 with a wRC+ of -2, what else can you do? But with Melendez packing his bags, the Royals now face the pressing question: Who will step up and fill that gaping hole in the outfield?
The Kansas City Royals do have some options on the list for filling the hole. The first name is Dairon Blanco, who is known for his defensive plays and speed. These two abilities are very important for an outfield player, and Blanco could be a very good fit. Having played outfield for some time will also help him to adapt quickly. Even with the bat, Blanco had decent numbers, like an average of .301 and an OPS of .758.
If the Royals are not able to shift him to right field, they can give Nelson Velazquez a chance. Velazquez has been with the Royals since the 2024 season and would have adapted well by now. Being a primary right fielder, it won’t take any time for him to adapt and make an impact. With the bat, Valazquez has a batting average of .200 with 8 HRs and 31 RBIs. But having played as a DH last season, it will be interesting to watch what the Royals will do with him.
As the Royals weigh their options, the decision to replace Melendez could be pivotal. Whether it’s Blanco’s speed and defensive prowess or Velázquez’s power potential in right field, both players have something to offer. Of course, if the Royals want to turn this into a real opportunity, they’ll need a player who not only fills the spot but can finally bring some stability to an outfield that’s been more hole than asset lately. The clock’s ticking, and it’s time to see who steps up.
The post “Play Well and Get Back” – Royals GM Sends Strong Message After Brutal Demotion of $2.65M Star appeared first on EssentiallySports.
