Ivan Melendez posts first 30 home run season since Kris Bryant in 2013

Ivan Melendez has already surpassed in-house records, breaking the single-season home run record for a historic Texas baseball program late in the year. Now, he’s doing things that have not been done in nearly a decade and accomplishing the feats of top MLB players.

After hitting a first-inning home run against Air Force, Melendez saw his season tally go up to 30. Kendall Rogers of D1 Baseball pointed out that the Longhorns’ slugger is the first to accomplish the feat since current Colorado Rockies third baseman/left fielder Kris Bryant did so in 2013. The San Diego star had 31 home runs in just 62 games, while Melendez is playing contest No. 64 of the year Sunday.

And we have the first 30 home run season in college baseball since Kris Bryant at @USDbaseball. The Hispanic Titanic does it again for @TexasBaseball. https://t.co/4W3tzbGWJ1

— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) June 6, 2022

When Bryant was playing for San Diego in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, they were a three-seed in the Los Angeles Regional and only played in three games. He was later selected with the second overall pick by the Chicago Cubs and since then, has been named an All-Star four times, won the World Series in 2016, and was named the NL MVP in the same season.

During his 2013 season, Bryant won the Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the top amateur baseball player in the country. Melendez is up for the award this season as well, which will be announced on July 15.

Melendez was named the Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year, according to a Thursday release. He also won Collegiate Baseball’s Big 12 Player of the Year award and received first-team All-American honors this season.

He led Texas to the No. 9 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and a regional host position with his offensive firepower throughout the year. During the regular season, Melendez led the country in home runs with 28, slugging percentage at .941, and total bases with 190.

The numbers were also well-rounded, as he finished second in the country in batting average at .421 and second in RBIs with 85. Other notable stats from his season include a .531 on-base percentage and 17 doubles.

His defensive output was also among the best in the country, only committing one error in 489 chances at first base.

Now, as the NCAA Tournament rolls on, Melendez continues to roll at the plate and break historic barriers.

Melendez was selected in the 18th round by the Miami Marlins last year but opted to return to Austin and play for the Longhorns. Thanks to his elite performances this season, he will surely see his draft stock rise and be picked earlier. Being an elite college bat, it could be a short stint in the minor leagues before seeing Major League action.

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report