Mark Melancon Stats & Scouting Report

IP	726
ERA	2.938
WHIP	1.169
BB/9	2.38
SO/9	7.971

Full name Mark David Melancon
Born 03/28/1985 in Wheat Ridge, CO
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Arizona
Debut 04/26/2009
Drafted in the 9th round (284th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2006 (signed for $600,000).

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A heavy college workload, particularly on a struggling 2006 team, finally caught up to Melancon, clouding an otherwise rosy draft picture for one of the best arms available. He set an Arizona freshman record in 2004, pitching in 29 games as he helped the Wildcats to the College World Series, and set a single-season record with 11 saves in 2005. His team struggled this season, though, with Melancon working longer stints to try to stretch a thin pitching staff. He had not pitched since feeling elbow pain April 7, and an MRI exam revealed a strained elbow ligament. He doesn't need surgery but he was not expected to pitch again before the draft. Melancon showed scouts plenty before getting hurt, sitting in the 92-95 mph range with good life on his fastball. He can pitch up in the zone with his heater to set up a 12-to-6 downer curve, a power pitch that at times sits in the 84-85 mph range. The delivery that helps create the quality power stuff also put stress on his elbow, though, and limits him to a future in the bullpen. If he can show he's healthy, Melancon could be the first college closer drafted, as early as late in the first round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Yankees bullpen should be quite different in 2010, following the trades of Brian Bruney and Phil Coke and the planned move of Phil Hughes back to the rotation. Melancon is in position to take advantage of that opportunity after making 13 appearances for New York last season, including two scoreless innings at Fenway Park in his big league debut. It was just the second fully healthy pro year for Melancon, who had a bad elbow when he signed for $600,000 as a ninth-round pick in 2006 and required Tommy John surgery shortly thereafter. He might have made a bigger impact in the majors had his fastball command not become an issue. He still throws hard, mostly in the low 90s with a peak of 95 mph, but didn't throw enough strikes with his heater. It's crucial for him to get ahead of hitters with his fastball, because his secondary pitches are designed to get hitters to chase. His power curveball is a low-80s hammer and his changeup has splitter action, but he doesn't throw them in the strike zone often enough. Melancon worked in a setup role at Triple-A last season, but he still has a closer's mentality and no one questions his makeup. His delivery always has had some effort, so he has to tone it down while maintaining his stuff.
The Yankees drafted Melancon despite an elbow strain that short-circuited his 2006 college season, and signed him for $600,000. He promptly reinjured his elbow and required Tommy John surgery. After pitching just seven pro innings entering 2008, he stayed healthy and helped Scranton win the Triple-A International League. Roundly praised for his makeup and work ethic, Melancon responded well to his surgery and rehabilitation, regaining most of his power stuff. His fastball sits at 91-94 mph and touches 95, and he can throw his power curveball for strikes or bury it as a chase pitch. He added a changeup that helped him limit lefties to a .162 average in 2008. Melancon still has just 103 pro innings to his credit and is seeking more consistency with his curveball. He must continue to smooth out his delivery, which had so much effort that it led to his injury. He doesn't hold runners well. The best in-house candidate to eventually replace Mariano Rivera as the Yankees' closer, Melancon has the temperament to handle the role and his stuff is nearly closer-worthy as well. He'll compete for a set-up role in New York in 2009.
Normally, pitchers with Melancon's track record don't get ranked so highly: ninth-round pick, seven pro innings, Tommy John surgery in November 2006, college reliever who'll be 23 before the season begins. However, he's far from ordinary, indicated in part by the $600,000 signing bonus he received in 2006. Yankees officials joined the chorus of amateur scouts who knew Melancon as a Colorado prep or as Arizona's closer and loved his off-the-charts makeup. Melancon is fearless on the mound, is a tremendous teammate off it and a monster in terms of work ethic and in the weight room. Oh, and he has two above-average pitches. Both were showing flashes of being at their pre-surgery peak in the fall, when Melancon headed up a contingent of Yankees prospects who traveled to the Dominican Republic for the organization's Latin instructional league. Melancon picked up some Spanish language skills, showed 89-92 mph velocity on his fastball (which sat at 92-95 in the past) and didn't hold back throwing his power curveball. Melancon has a max-effort delivery that New York has tried to harness in order to keep him healthy. In a best-case scenario, club officials imagine Melancon having a strong spring, starting 2008 in high Class A to get his legs under him, then getting challenged with a promotion to Double-A. With Mariano Rivera re-signed for three more seasons, Melancon has time to develop, and the Yankees see him as Rivera's eventual successor.
Arizona's single-season (11) and career (18) saves leader, Melancon projected as a firstround pick until a strained elbow ligament ended his junior season in April. Satisfied by the results of an MRI exam, New York snapped him up in the ninth round and signed him for $600,000. He had to leave Hawaii Winter Baseball after just four appearances with what initially was characterized as a sore arm, but Melancon had Tommy John surgery in November and is expected to miss the 2007 season. At his best, Melancon has power stuff that fits the closer profile. His fastball ranges from 92-95 mph with late life. He attacks hitters high and low, with enough giddy-up on his heater to work up in and out of the strike zone, and a hammer 12-to-6 curveball. Coaches rave about Melancon's work ethic and positive contribution to team chemistry. Melancon's maximum-effort delivery put stress on his elbow, leading to his injury. However, the Yankees love his makeup and have no doubts that he'll attack his rehab and do everything he can to come back strong. The Yankees won't get to see if he can be their future closer until his first full season, in 2008.

Scouting Reports

Normally, pitchers with Melancon's track record don't get ranked so highly: ninth-round pick, seven pro innings, Tommy John surgery in November 2006, college reliever who'll be 23 before the season begins. However, he's far from ordinary, indicated in part by the $600,000 signing bonus he received in 2006. Yankees officials joined the chorus of amateur scouts who knew Melancon as a Colorado prep or as Arizona's closer and loved his off-the-charts makeup. Melancon is fearless on the mound, is a tremendous teammate off it and a monster in terms of work ethic and in the weight room. Oh, and he has two above-average pitches. Both were showing flashes of being at their pre-surgery peak in the fall, when Melancon headed up a contingent of Yankees prospects who traveled to the Dominican Republic for the organization's Latin instructional league. Melancon picked up some Spanish language skills, showed 89-92 mph velocity on his fastball (which sat at 92-95 in the past) and didn't hold back throwing his power curveball. Melancon has a max-effort delivery that New York has tried to harness in order to keep him healthy. In a best-case scenario, club officials imagine Melancon having a strong spring, starting 2008 in high Class A to get his legs under him, then getting challenged with a promotion to Double-A. With Mariano Rivera re-signed for three more seasons, Melancon has time to develop, and the Yankees see him as Rivera's eventual successor.