Tim Melville Explained

Tim Melville
Team:Long Island Ducks
Width:260
Number:51
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:9 October 1989
Birth Place:Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:April 10
Debutyear:2016
Debutteam:Cincinnati Reds
Debut2league:CPBL
Debut2date:August 23
Debut2year:2020
Debut2team:Uni-President Lions
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:2019 season
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:2–5
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:6.75
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:39
Stat2league:CPBL
Stat2year:2023 season
Stat21label:Win–loss record
Stat21value:12–12
Stat22label:ERA
Stat22value:3.84
Stat23label:Strikeouts
Stat23value:144
Teams:
Awards:
CPBL

Timothy Macgill Melville (born October 9, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies. Melville has also played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President Lions and Wei Chuan Dragons.

Career

Melville attended Wentzville Holt High School in Wentzville, Missouri. He played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher. In 2007, his junior year, he threw a perfect game.[1] He pitched to a 10–1 win–loss record and a 0.89 earned run average (ERA) as a junior, and was named the Aflac National Player of the Year. He pitched to an 8–1 win–loss record and a 2.56 ERA in his senior year, while recording 89 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched.[2] He committed to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels on a college baseball scholarship.

Kansas City Royals

Baseball America ranked Melville as the best high school player available in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Because of the commitment to UNC, Melville fell out of the first round in the draft. The Kansas City Royals selected him in the fourth round, with the 115th overall selection, and signed him to a contract with a $1.25 million signing bonus.[3]

Melville began his professional career with the Burlington Bees of the Single–A Midwest League in 2009, pitching to a 7–7 win–loss record and a 3.79 ERA. He was promoted to the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the High–A Carolina League in 2010, where he struggled, pitching to a 2–12 win–loss record and a 4.97 ERA. He returned to Wilmington in 2011, and compiled an 11–10 record with a 4.32 ERA. Melville required Tommy John surgery in 2012. In 2014, Melville pitched for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Double–A Texas League, but struggled with a 2–11 win–loss record, a 5.50 ERA, while allowing 68 walks in innings.

Detroit Tigers

On November 19, 2014, Melville signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization,[4] and played for the Toledo Mud Hens of the Triple–A International League.[5] He became a free agent following the season.

Cincinnati Reds

On November 25, 2015, Melville signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[6] The Reds considered adding Melville to their Opening Day starting rotation, but instead chose Robert Stephenson, who was already on the Reds' 40-man roster.[7] Melville was assigned to the Triple–A Louisville Bats of the International League.[8]

On April 8, the Reds announced Melville would start in the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in place of Anthony DeSclafani, on April 10. The start marked Melville's MLB debut.[9] He threw 4 innings, giving up 1 run in a no-decision vs. Pittsburgh. Melville was designated for assignment by the Reds on April 22. After clearing waivers on April 24, he spent the remainder of the year with Louisville and the Double–A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, logging a combined 4.85 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 38 appearances out of the bullpen. Melville elected free agency following the season on November 7.[10]

Long Island Ducks

On April 6, 2017, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Minnesota Twins

On June 12, 2017, the Minnesota Twins signed him to a minor league contract, assigning him to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. After allowing 5 runs (4 earned) to the Chicago White Sox, Melville was designated for assignment by the Twins to make room for John Curtiss on the roster on August 22.[11]

San Diego Padres

On August 26, 2017, Melville was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.[12] He made only two appearances for the Padres, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with three strikeouts. On November 6, Melville was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas.[13] However, Melville rejected the assignment and subsequently elected free agency the following day.

Baltimore Orioles

On December 22, 2017, and signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.[14] He spent the entire season with the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, making 40 appearances and registering a 9–6 record and 5.33 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 4 saves across innings pitched.[15] Melville elected free agency following the season on November 2, 2018.[16]

Long Island Ducks (second stint)

On February 5, 2019, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[17] In two starts, he posted a strong 2–0 record and 0.75 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings of work.

Colorado Rockies

On May 3, 2019, Melville's contract was purchased by the Colorado Rockies, and he was assigned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.[18] On August 21, the Rockies selected Melville's contract and promoted him to the major leagues as an emergency starter.[19] In his Rockies debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Melville pitched 7 innings and allowed only 1 run on 2 hits as the Rockies won 7–2, giving Melville his first major league win. 5 days later, Melville made his debut at Coors Field and had another impressive performance against the Atlanta Braves, pitching 5 shutout innings and striking out 6 as the Rockies went on to defeat the Braves 3–1. Melville's ERA of 0.75 is the 3rd lowest ERA posted by a Rockies pitcher through his first two starts with the club. On October 30, Melville was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Albuquerque.[20]

Melville re-signed with the Rockies on a minor league contract on February 5, 2020. He did not play in a game for the organization in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[21] Melville was released by the Rockies organization on May 18.

Uni-President Lions

On July 12, 2020, Melville signed with the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[22] He re-signed with the team for the 2021 season.[23] On April 2, 2021, Melville pitched a no-hitter against Wei Chuan Dragons becoming the 10th player to do so in Chinese Professional Baseball League history. He also set the record of most pitches thrown in a no-hitter in the league, with 142 pitches.[24] For the season, Melville posted a 8–7 record with a 3.74 ERA and 84 strikeouts over 122.2 innings. He was not re-signed for the 2022 season and became a free agent.

Wei Chuan Dragons

Melville took the 2022 season off as he dealt with elbow inflammation. He received platelet-rich plasma treatment for the injury. On February 8, 2023, Melville signed with the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[25] Pitching in 3 games, he registered a 9.24 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across innings of work. On May 27, it was announced that Melville would miss 3–4 months after suffering injuries in his right elbow and tendon, and he was subsequently released by the team.[26]

Long Island Ducks (third stint)

On August 8, 2024, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[27]

Personal life

When Melville was 11 years old, he had surgery to correct his pectus excavatum at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia.[28] A steel rod was implanted in his chest, and removed one and a half years later.[6] [29]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Indians' Melville tosses perfect game. Brandon W. Mudd. April 29, 2007. stltoday.com. March 30, 2016.
  2. Web site: Royals pick signs at deadline. Topeka Capital-Journal. March 30, 2016.
  3. Web site: Melville a millionaire. Dave Benson. August 17, 2008. stltoday.com. March 30, 2016.
  4. Web site: Could a move to the bullpen help Tim Melville break out with the Tigers? – Bless You Boys. Rob Rogacki. February 17, 2015. Bless You Boys. March 30, 2016.
  5. Web site: Detroit Tigers prospects Tim Melville and Daniel Fields power Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens triumph – MiLB.com News – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball. MiLB.com. March 30, 2016.
  6. Web site: Tim Melville overcoming odds, on brink of big-league debut. March 24, 2016. Cincinnati.com. March 30, 2016.
  7. Web site: Robert Stephenson can win more big-league time - later. Zach. Buchanan. Cincinnati Enquirer. April 4, 2016. April 4, 2016.
  8. Web site: Reds' Tim Melville: Assigned to Triple-A Louisville. CBS Sports. April 3, 2016. April 4, 2016.
  9. Web site: Reds' Melville to start Sunday for DeSclafani. C. Trent. Rosecrans. Cincinnati Enquirer. April 8, 2016. April 8, 2016.
  10. Web site: Minor League Free Agents 2016. August 1, 2024. baseballamerica.com. en.
  11. Web site: Twins Designate Tim Melville, Will Select Contract of John Curtiss. August 22, 2017 .
  12. Web site: Padres Claim Tim Melville. Polishuk. Mark. mlbtraderumors.com. August 26, 2017. August 26, 2017.
  13. Web site: Outrighted: Twins, Phillies, Rays, Cardinals, Padres, Dodgers, Pirates. October 10, 2023. mlbtraderumors.com. November 6, 2017 . en.
  14. Web site: Minor MLB Transactions: 12/22/17. Adams. Steve. mlbtraderumors.com. December 22, 2017. December 22, 2017.
  15. Web site: Tim Melville - Stats - Pitching. October 10, 2023. fangraphs.com. en.
  16. Web site: Minor League Free Agents 2018. April 30, 2024. baseballamerica.com. en.
  17. Web site: Former Major Leaguer Melville Returns to Flock. Long Island Ducks. February 5, 2019. February 5, 2019.
  18. Web site: Tim Melville's Contract Purchased by Colorado Rockies. Long Island Ducks. May 3, 2019. May 4, 2019.
  19. Web site: Colorado purchased the contract of right-hander Tim Melville from Triple-A. Mark Polishuk. MLB Trade Rumors. August 21, 2019. August 21, 2019.
  20. Web site: Tyler Anderson, Chad Bettis' departures highlight Rockies' roster moves. The Denver Post. Patrick Saunders. October 30, 2019. October 30, 2019.
  21. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled. October 10, 2023. mlb.com. en.
  22. Web site: Uni-Lions Sign Tim Melville. CPBLStats.com. July 12, 2020. July 26, 2020.
  23. Web site: Uni-Lions Re-Sign Teddy Stankiewicz, Tim Melville, Brock Dykxhoorn for 2021 Season. CPBLStats.com. December 21, 2020. December 26, 2020.
  24. Web site: Former Rockies starter Tim Melville throws 2021's first no-hitter. April 2, 2021.
  25. Web site: Wei Chuan Dragons Sign Tim Melville for 2023 Season. 2023-02-08. cpblstats.com. February 8, 2023 . en.
  26. Web site: Wei Chuan Dragons Release Tim Melville. 2023-05-28. cpblstats.com. May 28, 2023 . en.
  27. Web site: Transactions. August 8, 2024. baseball.pointstreak.com. en.
  28. Web site: Hummel: Reds' Melville helps others understand unique surgery. Rick. Hummel. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 16, 2016. April 22, 2016.
  29. Web site: Prospect Melville takes pride in helping others. Dick. Kaegel. MLB.com . January 11, 2012. March 31, 2016.