From the Arizona Republic -
Arizona relief pitcher Mark Melancon became a draft-day risk because he missed the last seven weeks of the season with an elbow injury.
The closer who at one time was regarded as a potential first-rounder slipped to the ninth round on Tuesday before the New York Yankees took him with the 284th pick. Melancon said he’ll use the slight as motivation.
….
Donald said the Yankees got a steal, if they can sign Melancon. “Once he gets healthy, he’s going to prove he should have been taken earlier,” Donald said.
Melancon said he will sign with the Yankees if they offer appropriate compensation, but otherwise will consider returning for his senior season.
I watched too much TV as a kid. When I first saw this guy’s name, right away, I thought of the Melakon character from Star Trek.
Then, I imagined someone yelling at me, saying: “This isn’t Star Trek!” (like in the movie, The Cable Guy).
Anywho, Mark Melancon could be a sleeper pick – depending on that strained ligament in his elbow. I like this selection.
2 Responses to “Mark Melancon”
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June 7th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Melancon is the Austin Jackson of ‘06 — a first-round talent taken in the later rounds. The Yankees would be CRAZY not to throw a million bucks at him to get him to sign. I think people are rushing a bit calling him the future closer, but he has that kind of stuff, and could easily turn into a homegrown setup man. With Cox and Beam already thriving, the future bullpen could be Yankees-of-’96-like. This was a brilliant risk by the Yanks. In fact, overall the draft was terrific. I don’t know much about the guy they drafted first (most people are down on him, because he doesn’t throw hard, but I’ll reserve judgement), but otherwise they did an amazing job. I have a great feeling about the high school kid they took in the third, Zach McAllister, who says he’s going to sign.
June 7th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
He says he has an MRI showing no problem. Maybe the Yankees saw it and agree.