Luis Melendez
Born: 8/11/1949 in Aibonito, P.R.
MLB Debut: 1970-09-07 | Final Game: 1977-06-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 165 lbs
Full name: Luis Antonio Melendez
Biography
Luis Melendez, born in 1949, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1970 until 1977. Known for his versatility as a position player, Melendez played a total of 641 games during his career. He recorded 366 hits, 9 home runs, and 122 RBIs, finishing his tenure with a batting average of .248. Melendez also demonstrated his speed on the bases, successfully stealing 18 bases throughout his time in the league.
Emerging during a transitional period in baseball, Melendez's career unfolded amidst the evolving dynamics of the game in the 1970s, a decade that saw shifts in playing styles and the introduction of new strategies. While he may not have been a household name, Melendez contributed to his teams with solid defensive skills and a consistent, if not flashy, offensive presence. His dedication to the game and ability to perform in various roles exemplified the spirit of the era, marking him as a valuable player in the history of baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 641 | 1477 | 167 | 366 | 50 | 13 | 9 | 122 | 18 | 109 | 175 | 0.248 | 0.299 | 0.318 | 0.616 | -2596.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | STL | NL | 21 | 70 | 11 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 0.300 | -136.5 |
| 1971 | STL | NL | 88 | 173 | 25 | 39 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 24 | 29 | 0.225 | -389.6 |
| 1972 | STL | NL | 118 | 332 | 32 | 79 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 5 | 25 | 34 | 0.238 | -370.5 |
| 1973 | STL | NL | 121 | 341 | 35 | 91 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 35 | 2 | 27 | 50 | 0.267 | -395.3 |
| 1974 | STL | NL | 83 | 124 | 15 | 27 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 0.218 | -385.9 |
| 1975 | STL | NL | 110 | 291 | 33 | 77 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 27 | 3 | 16 | 25 | 0.265 | -488.8 |
| 1976 | SDP | NL | 72 | 119 | 15 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 0.244 | -430.3 |
| 1976 | STL | NL | 20 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.125 | -430.3 |
| 1977 | SDP | NL | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 489 | 331 | 876 | 21 | 21 | 5 |
| SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | SLN | OF | 18 | 15 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1971 | SLN | OF | 66 | 39 | 90 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 1972 | SLN | OF | 105 | 80 | 206 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
| 1973 | SLN | OF | 95 | 84 | 196 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
| 1974 | SLN | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1974 | SLN | OF | 46 | 26 | 84 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1975 | SLN | OF | 89 | 64 | 169 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 1976 | SDN | OF | 60 | 21 | 85 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 | SLN | OF | 8 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | SDN | OF | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Shortstop | 1 |
| Left Field | 88 |
| Center Field | 268 |
| Right Field | 161 |