Sam Dykstra

It was a limited sample.

I get that.

But everything was trending in the right direction, and I think if he wasn't injured, A, he would have graduated.

We're not talking about a prospect anymore.

But B, he probably would have more solid footing with Houston, especially as they try to find –

I know it's been a year since Kyle Tucker, but they're still trying to sort out that outfield.

But right now, I think for the Rays, when they were looking at their center field options, I don't think they found who they believe can stick in center field, and I think they're getting Melton at a good time with everything the way it's sticking up.

They can still affect his development a little bit more because he doesn't have that huge sample size at the major league level, but between the defense, the speed, the power, there's some really exciting tools there for him.

I think he should be going into spring as the competitor to win the center field job.

I know they signed Cedric Mullins before this trade and you're kind of hoping Mullins can be a reclamation project.

Maybe if the rays aren't in it, they trade him at the deadline, kind of do what the Orioles did last year.

You pick up a few prospects in that way too, but I think Melton right now should be major league ready and should very much be in that conversation.

to take over the center field job, especially with Jake Mangum out of the way.

Chandler Simpson, as much as I love the guy's speed, he's going to be a left fielder in the major leagues moving forward if he doesn't move positions again.

We'll see how that goes.

But I think Melton should be in the conversation in spring, and even if he doesn't win the job in spring, could have it by May, June.

The ceiling is certainly there for him to be at least an average everyday player.

Yeah, Anderson Brito, what stood out to me most about him is that I got to see him in the Arizona Fall League, and we talked about this a few months ago when Luis Perales came up in that discussion.

Thanks for sharing that the other day after that trade, going back to that clip.

Well, we'll see about that.