#606 Luis Melendez

Reserve Puerto Rican outfielder….Had trouble breaking into a starting position in the Cardinal outfield….Career started at same time as fellow Puerto Rican Jose Cruz….Cruz had a significantly more illustrious career….Had trouble with consistency and limited power….Needed 252 AB to get first home run…Finished with 9 home runs for a career….  Best season was with the 1973 Cardinals squad and had 341 at bats. 18 doubles, 2 HR, 35 RBI,  and .267 avg.....Traded to Padres mid 1976….gave the Padres 122 at bats and a .238 average....Drove in 122 run and finished with .248 career average,