Diamondbacks MLB Draft Pick Recap #43 Ivan Melendez Grade
By Jake Oliver
The Arizona Diamondbacks draft the Hispanic Titanic Ivan Melendez #43 overall in the MLB Draft 2022!
The Diamondbacks' absolutely perfect draft so far just got better by selecting the top hitter in college from last season. Ivan led the NCAA Division 1 in HRs (32), RBI (94), total bases, and led Texas to the College World Series. This kid can flat-out rake.
Ivan may be stuck at first base defensively, but he has a ton of potential there. His defense has shown peeks of being as good as former Diamondbacks great Paul Goldschmidt. Of course, so has his bat.
My comp for him is of Goldy, IF, he can reach his potential which I see no reason to doubt right now. Ivan's a patient hitter who seems to always put the barrel on the ball.
Ivan Melendez to the Dbacks! pic.twitter.com/CDMUXehZ5Z
— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) July 18, 2022
Ivan has light-tower power which he showcased during the spring. I am over the moon with this pick.
There he goes. The @Dbacks take @d1baseball Player of the Year Ivan Melendez No. 42 overall. He goes from a 16th rounder to the Marlins last season to a second rounder this spring. Huge raw power, good eye at the plate, has been solid at first base. @TexasBaseball #MLBDraft
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) July 18, 2022
Ivan Melendez. 43rd overall in the second round to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
— Colin Deaver (@ColinDeaverTV) July 18, 2022
The family went NUTS. pic.twitter.com/fR8ZIJ9Ab5
Ivan Melendez was the 2022 College Player of the Year which shows just how good he is. He might sign above-slot but doubtful since he is a senior player from college. His slot value is 1.82 million dollars.
The 6'3 R/R 22-year-old is now the latest top Diamondbacks prospect. After this draft, there's an argument to be made that the Diamondbacks will have the top MiLB prospect system in the MLB. That would be a dream come true for me.
Ivan has 60 grades+ power alone with above-average hit tools and an amazing eye. He understands the strike zone and can handle upper velocity. He drives the ball to all fields, and I can't wait to see him play in a Dbacks uniform.
The Diamondbacks have now established a long-term plan at first base which is beyond exciting since the team doesn't have a ton of first base prospects. Seth Beer is more a DH than a 1st baseman. Oh yeah, he wants to play in the Home Run Derby in a few years already too, so that's extremely exciting.
If you’re looking for an NL team, you should give great consideration to the Diamondbacks after tonight. Druw Jones, Landon Sims and now Ivan Melendez. Also have Texas kid Jordan Lawlar and the talented Corbin Carroll. Holy stacked!
— Nolan Writin' (@NolanWritinFS) July 18, 2022
Ivan was previously selected last year in the 16th round by the Miami Marlins but bet on himself and it worked out. Now he got selected in the 2nd round by an even better organization. Let's go Dbacks and welcome to the team Ivan!