Will he return soon or is he a lost cause?
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The Royals finally demoted MJ Melendez after he hit just 4-for-47 (.085) with one home run and a 38 percent strikeout rate. Melendez’s numbers have been declining each season, but the team was hoping a new swing this spring could restart his career and get him closer to the potential he showed in 2021 when he smacked 41 home runs in the minor leagues.
Melendez is hardly the first Royals hitter demoted after significant time in the big leagues. Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, and Mike Moustakas were all sent to the minors to get their swing back and each returned to the big leagues to become productive hitters. Will MJ Melendez follow that career path? Or is his cause hopeless with the Royals, requiring a change in scenery?