New York Yankees 2009 | Hot-Prospects.net

Tag Archive | "new york yankees 2009"

Tags: autographed cards, Baseball Cards, bowman chrome draft, bowman sterling, donruss, donruss elite extra, donruss threads, major league prospects, mark melancon, mark melancon auto, mark melancon autograph, mark melancon rc, mark melancon rookie cards, mark melancon scouting report, minor league baseball, minor league prospects, New York Yankees, new york yankees 2009, new york yankees prospects, sportscards, spring training

Mark Melancon – New York Yankees RHP

Posted on 06 March 2009

H/W: 6-3 215 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/28/85

Tabbed by many as the Yankees' closer of the future, the former Arizona Wildcat did his part to confirm that honored distinction by breezing through three separate minor league stops from High-A Tampa to AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Melancon went 8-1 with a 2.27 ERA and 22 BB/89 K in 95 IP. His fastball sits at 92-95 MPH and his hammer-like curveball is quite effective at inducing groundball outs (1.54/FO in '08). Melancon has an intensely competitive demeanor on the mound which goes a long way towards intimidating hitters. He is a hard worker on and off the field and has all of the intangibles to be a highly successful closer. Team officials have been concerned about Melancon's strenuous delivery and continue to tinker with it to take some of the effort and stress out of it in order to diminish his risk of injuries in the future. Mariano Rivera is on the finishing rounds of his legendary career and Melancon is the top candidate to fill a very big pair of shoes.

2009 Projection: While Melancon seems to be ready for a definitive role in the Yankees' bullpen, it is more likely that he will be back at AAA to await his opportunity. The Yankees seem to be well stocked with good power arms in their bullpen, but a solid spring turned in by Melancon should open some eyes for opportunities later in the season. His predecessor, Super Mariano, shows no signs of slowing down and the Yankees have him under contract through the 2010 season. That should give Melancon plenty of time to nestle into a regular relief role with New York, increasing his odds of being the closer for the Bronx Bombers in 2011.