Texas' Ivan Melendez wins 2022 Golden Spikes Award
Ivan Melendez made history on Friday, becoming the first Texas Longhorn to win the Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation's top player.
Nicknamed the "Hispanic Titanic," the 22-year-old redshirt junior tore the cover off the baseball this season for Texas. In 67 games, Melendez batted .387/.508/.863 with 32 home runs and 94 RBI.
Melendez is currently ranked 115th among MLB.com's top draft prospects.
"With the strength in his 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame and an uphill right-handed swing, Melendez is geared to drive balls in the air and produces plus-plus raw power that plays from foul pole to foul pole," MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo writes. "He doesn't have standout bat speed, so there are some concerns about how he'll handle quality velocity against more advanced pitchers."
The Miami Marlins selected Melendez in the 16th round of the 2021 draft. However, Melendez never agreed to terms with the Marlins, vying instead to return to college.
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