Arizona Diamondbacks no. 7 prospect Ivan Melendez — one of the hottest players in Minor League Baseball — hit for the cycle Friday night for the High-A Hillsboro Hops.
The milestone took a little longer than usual, as a statistical correction on Saturday changed Melendez’s double with an error into a triple to complete the cycle. It was his first triple of the season, a fly to the right-center field fence.
Melendez hit the first home run in Hops history, and it came in the midst of a dominant stretch heading into the 2022 draft. The righty finished the game 4-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs.
Saturday Morning Cycle! (something)
After a statistical correction changed a double and an error into a triple in the fifth inning of last night’s game, @Dbacks Perspective no. 7 Ivan Melendez can now claim the first cycle at Ron Tonkin Field by one @HillsboroHops player. pic.twitter.com/9UDSZ5yL5B
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 24, 2023
Melendez had a 1.052 OPS in May and improved to a 1.096 OPS in June. He has played in three of his last five games and has a season-high 14 balls.
The D-backs took Melendez no. 43 overall by Texas last year, their third pick after selecting OF Druw Jones no. 2 and RHP Landon Sims no. 34.
The 23-year-old had an up-and-down first taste of pro ball in 2022, but has come alive for the Hops, showing that 60-grade power from MLB Pipeline.
