Jackson Melian Stats & Scouting Report

AB	4618
AVG	.257
OBP	.331
SLG	.401
HR	122

Full name Jackson Melian
Born 01/07/1980 in Barcelona, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Melian's stock has slipped since he joined the organization in the Denny Neagle trade with the Yankees in July 2000. He's impressively built and looks like a big leaguer. Of course, looks aren't everything, as his batting average reflects. He did show promise in 2001, nearly doubling his previous career high for homers as he began displaying the power everybody knew he had. Better yet, Melian can hit the ball out to all fields. He again showed off a strong throwing arm, legitimizing his reputation as a solid defender. But he remained erratic overall and prone to impatience at the plate. He managed to avoid serious hamstring injuries, a problem for him in previous seasons, and the Reds want him to continue to improve his flexibility. Though overenthusiastic club officials lumped Melian with Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns a year ago, he unquestionably has been left in their wake. Melian probably will spend more time at Double-A until he develops consistency, and he'll have a hard time cracking a potential big league outfield of Ken Griffey Jr. flanked by Dunn and Kearns.
The Reds made sure to trumpet Melian's skills loudly after they acquired him in the Denny Neagle trade with the Yankees. That trade initially was unpopular with fans, so the organization had to put as good a spin on it as possible. If Melian develops, he might be able to make the fans forget about Neagle. Though hamstring problems bothered the center fielder throughout the 2000 season, the Reds know what he can do. He has excellent instincts that enhance his tools, which include power and excellent throwing ability. Though he's strong, he needs to work on his conditioning, particularly to ward off further problems with his hamstrings. He'll also need to tighten his strike zone if he's to maximize his offensive potential. Melian likely will return to Double-A Chattanooga to start 2001. He could be blocked in the future, as he won't ever displace Ken Griffey in Cincinnati and is unlikely to take a corner spot away from Austin Kearns or Adam Dunn.
Background: Melian endured tremendous personal tragedy in August when his parents were killed in a auto accident while accompanying the Greensboro team bus to a South Atlantic League game. He has recovered spectacularly on the field, excelling in instructional league camp and in winter ball in his native Venezuela. Strengths: The raw physical tools that earned Melian his $1.6 million bonus two years ago have continued to develop. He runs a 6.5 60 yard dash and won all the Yankees home run hitting contests during instructional league. Melian's throwing arm is top of the scale, and his speed allows him to play center field with ease. Weaknesses: Melian still needs work on basic fundamentals and get repetitions. Worries about his pedestrian Greensboro numbers are tempered by his youth. The Future: Melian appears to have the emotional strength to overcome his parent's tragedy. The Yankees refer to Melian as a "Jeter-type player with a Latin accent" for his overall tools and makeup. Tampa is his next stop.