MJ Melendez Looks to Catch a Big Score on Celebrity Poker Tour

The left fielder and catcher – who has also scored an incredible 51 home runs – made his Major League Baseball debut two years ago and will appear as part of the Celebrity Poker Tour line-up for 2024 in the CPT Championship on Wednesday night LIVE on the CPT YouTube channel.

Swapping the Diamond for the Oval

“Being able to adapt to different situations has been a big part of my game.”

The 25-year-old MJ Melendez is one of MLB’s hottest properties, but how will the action compare from catching at the baseball diamond in front of thousands of fans to taking on fellow celebrities and poker professionals at the oval felt on the Celebrity Poker Tour? Perhaps the patience required to be an elite MLB sports star could help him.

“I’d definitely say baseball is a game you need to have patience and battle adversity, so I can definitely translate that to my poker game.” Says MJ.

MJ has had to focus for long stretches for the Kansas City Royals, then just like the best poker players do at the table, he has to snap into action and perform. If you’ve never seen MJ in action, this is the sort of miracle play he’s capable of:

MJ was the first ever catcher to win the Joe Bauman Home Run Award which we think is incredible. Mixing it up is part of his DNA. In poker, that’s crucial, so is his adaptability a bit of a superpower in his career and life?

“Winning the Joe Bauman award as a catcher was something special that I’ll never forget!” MJ beams. “I think being able to adapt to different situations has been a big part of my game, especially having played some very different positions in the MLB!”

Chasing Down Sports Stars

MJ may be taking his seat in a Celebrity Poker Tour event for just the second time, but he’s played poker before, with his fellow MLB teammates back in the day.

“The first time I ever played poker was with teammates in the minor leagues,” he says. “It was definitely fun and a challenge, which I liked!”

Outside of baseball, MJ Melendez is something of a fashion icon to many young men who follow the sport. It’s one angle of observation he hopes to put to good use against anyone who like him, has striven for success in sport.

“Poker is all about deception, so you never know. But I do remember from the first time I played [that] I could definitely spot out the athletes” MJ laughs.

Faith and Friendship

“Maybe I can be the second athlete to bluff-catch Maria Ho!”

While he pushes his body to the limit on the diamond and is ready to test his mental mettle on the poker felt, MJ’s faith in God is a huge part of his character wherever he is in life. Psalm 16:8 is important to him, which reads: ‘I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken’. Clearly, MJ’s faith is key.

“Yes 100%. I definitely live through my faith,” he confirms. “It helps me in all aspects of life, through the ups and downs. Without my faith in God, I would not be in the position I’m in!”

In just two days’ time, MJ will be at the felt with any number of celebrity players at the felt, so who is he most looking forward to playing poker against on November 20?

“I think going up against some athletes will be fun!” he says with a grin. “Jose Canseco and Adrian Peterson. Maybe I can be the second athlete to bluff-catch Maria Ho and win like Tony Hawk did with seven-high!”

The Celebrity Poker Tour events so far have been hugely dramatic, especially at the conclusion of each event. If MJ is heads-up for the win, what will his tactics be?

“I’m definitely an outgoing person and I’ve been known to talk a lot at the poker table when I’m having a good time,” he declares. “I’ll definitely use some speech play if I’m heads up for the win!”

With the cards in the air very soon, one thing is for sure – MJ Melendez is going to be box office to watch, just like he is in Major League Baseball. Last season, the Kansas City Royal were second in the American League Central Division, behind only the Cleveland Guardians.

On Wednesday, only victory will do for one of sport and life’s great young superstars.