Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton is starting in center field during his MLB debut on Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. Melton is slated to bat in the eight-hole. The Astros promoted Melton to the majors earlier on Sunday. The 24-year-old is currently considered the No. 2-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com. Melton opened the campaign with Triple-A Sugar Land, where he held a .254/.371/.508 slash line with nine doubles, two home runs, and three stolen bases. In 2024, Melton spent with Double-A and Triple-A and held a .253/.310/.426 line with 20 doubles, 15 home runs, and 30 stolen bases across 105 contests. Fantasy managers should consider adding Melton ahead of his MLB debut as he could carve out a full-time role in the Houston offense with Chas McCormick (oblique) and Yordan Alvarez (hand) on the IL. This afternoon, he will face Tampa Bay right-hander Taj Bradley, who holds a 4.38 ERA.

Houston Astros outfielder Jacob Melton is being called up to the big league roster. Melton is currently the No. 2 prospect in the Astros system. He was drafted in the second round of the 2022 June Amateur Draft. Melton only played 17 games at Triple-A before receiving the call to the big leagues. The Astros are in need of some reinforcements with Zach Dezenzo (hand) likely joining some of his fellow outfielders on the injured list. Melton figures to get regular playing time in Houston with the Astros outfield banged up. However, it's unclear if Melton is truly ready for the big league level with less than 20 games at Triple-A under his belt. He could be worth adding in deep leagues or AL-only formats, but might have a learning curve right away

Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton has held a modest .190/.292/.571 slash line across his first six games of the regular season. Melton missed the opening week of the season due to a back injury. The No. 3-ranked prospect in the system enjoyed one impressive game on April 11 when he hit two home runs. However, since that game, Melton has tallied just two hits over his last four and held a 26.7 percent strikeout rate. Last season, the Oregon State enjoyed success during his first look at Triple-A, as he held a .260/.314/.405 line with 10 doubles and five home runs across 47 contests. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his production with Triple-A Sugar Land, as he should push for his MLB debut later this summer if he can turn the corner.

Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton went 2-for-4 with two home runs during their contest on Friday evening. Melton opened the Triple-A regular season on the injured list with a back injury but looks quite comfortable. Melton made his season debut on April 9 but did not tally a hit in that contest. The Oregon State product is considered the No. 3 prospect in the Houston system. Last summer, Melton split time between Double-A and Triple-A. Across 58 games with Double-A, the 24-year-old posted a solid .248/.306/.442 slash line with 10 home runs. During his first taste of Triple-A, Melton posted a .260/.314/.405 line across 47 contests. Fantasy managers should expect Melton to push for an early-season MLB debut if he continues to produce with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton (back) was placed on the Triple-A injured list due to a back injury. Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that Melton battled numerous back injuries during camp and aggravated this injury during one of his final Grapefruit League contests. Melton did not appear in a Triple-A contest before hitting the injured list. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status as he will contend for an early 2025 MLB debut once he is cleared for action. Last season, the former second-round selection began his campaign at Double-A and held a .248/.306/.442 line with 10 home runs across 58 games. He then moved up to Triple-A, where he posted a solid .260/.314/.405 line across his first 47 games. The Oregon State product may not need much time before earning the call to Houston once cleared for action.