The Pittsburgh Pirates’ corner infield depth is a mixed bag. The Pirates have the likes of Endy Rodriguez, Rafael Flores Jr., Tyler Callihan, and Esmerlyn Valdez as first base options currently stationed at Triple-A. Third base, however, has a lot fewer options. Callihan can play third base; however is the only depth answer on the 40-man roster. Others not on the Bucs’ 40-man like Alika Williams, Enmanuel Valdez, and Nick Cimillo are options at the infield corners. Plus, if something happens to designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, they’ll likely have to call upon one of their depth options. Having depth is important, and the Pirates have an opportunity to add an extra slugger to their Triple-A squad in the form of 1B/3B Ivan Melendez.
Pirates Should Take a Flyer on Ivan Melendez
Record-Setting Rise
Melendez became a heralded young slugger while at the University of Texas at Austin. During his draft year in 2022, Melendez slashed .387/.505/.863, setting a single-season home run school record with 32 long balls over just 315 plate appearances. That power output made Melendez a consensus top 100 draft pick heading into the draft. The Arizona Diamondbacks then selected the corner infielder during the second round.
Melendez immediately made his presence known in the minor leagues in 2023. He slashed .272/.345/.578 with 30 home runs over 426 plate appearances. His 34.3% K% and 7.3% BB% raised concerns, but he put his power on full display. He was one of just three minor league hitters in ‘23 with an isolated slugging percentage of at least .300, clocking in at .306. Overall, he finished his first extended look in the minor leagues with a .400 wOBA and 133 wRC+.
From Top Prospect to Recent Release
While Melendez has continued to show off his big-time raw power, he hasn’t developed as well as hoped. He struggled badly in 2024, posting a 93 wRC+ and a 30.1% K%. The corner infielder had a slight rebound in 2025, slashing .267/.347/.480. Overall, he had a .373 wOBA and 108 wRC+ over 380 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. His whiff rate at Triple-A was just 23.6%, and he hit 19 home runs in total. Melendez walked in 9.2% of his trips to the dish and struck out at a 24.5% rate.
Melendez started 2026 off ice-cold. His first 50 plate appearances saw him collect just ten hits. He did have two home runs, but also struck out 16 times, while his whiff rate climbed to a poor 36.2% mark. Despite Melendez’s previous draft pedigree, minor league performance, and power output from last season, the Diamondbacks recently opted to release the corner infielder. He is now a free agent.
El Paso’s own Ivan Melendez hits a home run for Reno to tie the ballgame, 11-11, heading into the bottom of the 8th. pic.twitter.com/WF9bqh5SCt
— El Paso Chihuahuas (@epchihuahuas) April 22, 2026
Where Melendez Would Fit in the Pirates’ System
Melendez would immediately take over as a 1B/3B/DH option for Triple-A Indianapolis. This would allow the Pirates to promote Rafael Flores, who has spent ten of his 21 games at first base and DH, and possibly trade Joey Bart. That isn’t to suggest that Melendez is suddenly going to figure it out and become the 30 home run hitter he was originally projected to become when he was in college. However, he would become one of the strongest power hitters in the Pirates’ system, and would be an improvement over a handful of the Pirates’ other first and third base depth options.
Main Photo Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
