nynasty

Melancon makes AA debut

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A scout's rating of Melancon's offerings based on last night:

Fastball: sat at mostly 93-94 mph throughout the outing and topped out at 95 mph.. He threw a more sinking heater at 91 down in the zone. His arm slot is nearly over the top (or basically high three-quarters) making the 94 mph fastball drive downward on hitters and probably seem even faster than it already is. A plus fastball in terms of velocity, movement and command.

The lateral movement it generates, however, may be the most impressive characteristic to the pitch. Melancon is able to command the fastball well inside, though he did leave a few pitches out over the plate, a single and RBI double coming as a result. The majority of the time Melancon's heater bent in and out of the zone as he attacked hitters with a 7-1 lead.

</blockquote><blockquote>Curveball: The epitome of an outpitch, Melancon possesses an absolute hammer power curveball hovering around 80-81 mph. He showed the ability to drop the pitch in for a called strike as well as bury it in the dirt for swinging strikes. Potentially a plus-plus pitch, Melancon throws it with great conviction and bite.

From my vantage point behind homeplate, the ball just seemed to be on a continuous downward spiral. This comes in part because of Melancon's high release point. Following his fastball, the curve has great depth and simply drops off the table, somewhat like Francisco Rodriguez's big breaking ball. Two of his four strikeouts came on the pitch.</blockquote><blockquote>

Changeup: An average major league offering, Melancon's change sits in the low 80s. I believe Melancon only threw the pitch twice during his two frames and while it seemed he commanded it well enough to throw it for strikes, the movement and deception was not particularly exceptional. The simple fact of the matter is that Melancon does not need a third pitch to succeed at the major league level. His fastball and curve are that strong.

 

 

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Melancon makes AA debut

great update nasty. Who do you think will be primed for a call up to the big leagues first out of the gang in A, AA, or AAA?

do you have any new news on our young bats Jackson or Tabata? Do we have any other batters in the system worth mentioning?

Melancon makes AA debut

I think we definitely see Cox, Melancon, and Robertson in the pen-probably before the all-star break.

As far as starters go, Horne, McCutchen, and Chase Wright could all get a shot before the year is out.

Tabata is struggling in AA, and Ajax is just OK.

For the exciting hitting prospects, you really have to go all the way down to single A Charleston. That team is loaded with exciting young hitters.

Melancon makes AA debut

Nasty, It sure looks like we'll see Melancon in a Yankee uniform by the All Star break.

BTW, In the recent call up category, Edwar Ramirez....has been pitching very well so far.