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Meet Jonathan Meloan

Let's look closer at the newest reliever in the system, Jonathan Meloan.  First, his percentage stats from the last few minor league seasons:

Year Level PA K% BB% GB% SwStr%
2007 AA 168 39.9 10.7 48.1 N/A
2007 AAA 85 23.5 10.6 43.6 10.6
2008 AAA 70 18.6 14.3 45.2 12.5
2009 AAA 173 19.7 8.1 41.1 9

Despite the inflated homerun ratio, Meloan has actually pitched pretty well in Triple-A this season.  His walk rate is down and his strikeout ratio isn't poor despite inducing less whiffs. These numbers are nothing compared to his lower level numbers prior to 2007, where nobody could hit him. The Dodgers threw him in the rotation, something that didn't work out overly well. Since returning to the pen, Meloan hasn't shown that same domination although he has been pretty decent.

Let's look at his Pitchfx profile.

Fastball: 91-93 MPH, some cutting action inside to righties, tops out around 95.

(Sl/C)urve: 79-82 MPH, good break downwards.

Slider: 88-90 MPH

Change-up: show me pitch

Here's a look at a game chart from a Meloan appearance:

3355_p_0_200709270_game_medium

via www.fangraphs.com

It seems to me he may throw a two-seam fastball as well. Gameday classified both as four-seamers, so in reality there's a chance he throws a 90-92 two-seamer and 92-95 four-seamer. Throw in the slider as his outpitch and a plus looking slurve, and there's definitely some good stuff being thrown by Meloan.

So what's wrong with his performance in Triple-A this season? Apparently 14% (!!!) of Meloan's fly balls allowed are leaving the ballpark, simply put, that's unsustainable for a pitcher that seems to have quality stuff and an otherwise good performance at the level.  Checking on Columbus park, it's very, very susceptible to the long ball. Statcorner's park factors have the park's HR/BIA factor at 122. Using MinorLeagueSplits and removing the ‘luck' aspect (aka excessive homeruns) of Meloan's performance, his FIP falls to 3.70.

I'm not going to say his true talent level is 3.7, since even when luck is thrown out Meloan's FIP is still in the ~4.2.-4.5 range for most of his Triple-A experience. CHONE and ZiPS agreed that Meloan's true talent projection sat between 4.4-4.9. Which...somehow, would make him the second worst reliever on the staff.

Accepting the fact that Abreu was A) gone either way, B) only here for a few months, it's hard to be too disappointed at this return. Meloan is the Rays property for at least the next six seasons and has the makings of a potentially above average reliever.

All stats courtesy of StatCorner, MinorLeagueSplits, and FanGraphs

0 recs  |  Comment 14 comments |

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What don't you like about Nelly?

4.03 FIP in March/April, 9.19 in May, 2.85 in June

There was a problem and he fixed it.

SOSH AUCTION to K ALS

by Sandy Kazmir on Jul 2, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's a democrat for ya

Always thinks he knows what the people want.

SOSH AUCTION to K ALS

by Sandy Kazmir on Jul 2, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did you hear that John McCain called his wife a cunt?

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jul 2, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I didn't but it makes sense

You live with a woman long enough of course she’s going to be cunty from time to time.

SOSH AUCTION to K ALS

by Sandy Kazmir on Jul 2, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Remember talks of looking for the next J.P. Howell?

I’m not going to say Meloan=Howell, but he throws a variety of pitches. Is just 24 (will be 25 soon) and is under team control for 6 seasons. Sure, Abreu maybe the next Balfour, but Meloan could be the next balfour or even better Howell. If you couldn’t tell I’m a Meloan fan.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Jul 2, 2009 7:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So when does the "Free Meloan" chant start.

Fact is it’s a younger guy for a guy who might provide some production for a season – or more or less – so not a bad thing.

Could be a AAAA guy for a younger one, but there’s more time for a turnaround or come together for the younger.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Jul 2, 2009 7:34 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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