Pirates Top 30 Prospects No 22: Don’t Sleep on ’25 Draft Pick Gustavo Melendez
This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.
The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Gustavo Melendez wasn’t the most imposing player available in the 2025 draft, but the diminutive shortstop packs plenty of upside as he enters the Pirates’ minor-league system.
Pittsburgh chose Melendez from Puerto Rico in the fourth round (113th overall) of the 2025 draft and signed him for $671,800. He became the second player the Pirates took from Puerto Rico in the last three years after going eight years without doing so.
Though Melendez’s power is somewhat limited at present by his frame, he otherwise possesses solid tools across the board, and some believe he’ll tap into more power as he develops and matures physically.
A left-handed hitter, Melendez projects to be a plus-hitter as a professional with at least average — if not better than average — speed.
Defensively, Melendez has the necessary tools to stick at shortstop but is versatile enough to play other positions if and when needed.
Pirates Director of Amateur Scouting Justin Horowitz spoke about Melendez following the second day of the draft back in July.
“He’s got some interesting talent. He’s not the biggest kid in the world, I’ll tell you guys that right now, but the kid can hit. Natural feel, he’s got a good swing,” he explained. “And defensively, he’s got a good little glove too. He can bounce around the dirt, play a variety of different positions. We’re excited with what he’s going to be able to do. Just give him time. Don’t just look at the frame and watch him play. I think he’s going to grow on a lot of people.”
As one of the youngest players who was available in the 2025 draft class — he doesn’t turn 18 years old until early next week — it will be some time before Melendez has the chance to crack the big-league roster.
But he’s one to watch once he begins playing in games in the organization next season, and he’s someone who could see his stock rise as he continues to develop in his professional career.
More about:Pirates Farm System