Jon Meloan
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Michael Meloan (born July 11, 1984) is a pitcher
who plays in Oakland Athletics
organization.
in Katy, Texas
. Meloan is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Meloan is an alumnus of the University of Arizona
, where he was a perfect 10–0 in 11 starts
in , in leading the Wildcats to the College World Series
. In three seasons with Arizona, he compiled a record of 24–4 in 30 starts.
in the 5th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
and made his professional debut for the Ogden Raptors
in mid-season, going 0-2, 3.69 ERA
in 16 appearances, 6 of them as a starter. Primarily a starter in college, he was converted to a relief pitcher
at Ogden. His maximum-effort delivery and his 92–94 mph fastball
with a pair of strikeout
breaking balls led to his consideration as a closer
.
In , he saw action with the Columbus Catfish
, Vero Beach Dodgers and Jacksonville Suns
.
For the season, Meloan began the year with Double-A Jacksonville, compiling a 5–2 record with a terrific 2.18 ERA in 35 relief appearances and notching 19 saves to be selected to the Southern League
All-Star team. He won the post-season "Double-A Relief Pitcher of the Year" Award.
After the all-star break, he was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas
and he was recalled to the Dodgers on September 1, 2007. He made his Major League debut for the Dodgers that night against the San Diego Padres
, working two innings of relief. He wound up pitching in five games for the Dodgers after his September callup, working 7.1 innings and finishing with an 11.05 ERA.
On July 26, , Meloan was traded to the Cleveland Indians
along with minor league catcher
Carlos Santana
for infielder
Casey Blake
. On July 2, 2009, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays
for pitcher Winston Abreu
. Meloan had pitched 44 innings in Triple-A (for the Columbus Clippers
) before being traded, compiling a 0-0 record, with one save in 25 appearances with a 5.52 ERA.
Meloan was designated for assignment
by the Rays on August 7, and claimed off waivers by the Pirates on August 12. On August 31, 2009 he was again designated for assignment. He was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics
on September 2, 2009. After missing all of the season due to Tommy John Surgery, Meloan Rehabed at Kansas City Sports Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy and was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who plays in Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
organization.
Early life
He was an academic all-district honoree at James E. Taylor High SchoolJames E. Taylor High School
James E. Taylor High School, also known as Katy Taylor High School, is a public high school in Harris County, Texas, in the city of Katy. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is part of Katy Independent School District...
in Katy, Texas
Katy, Texas
Katy is a city located in Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area...
. Meloan is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Meloan is an alumnus of the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, where he was a perfect 10–0 in 11 starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in , in leading the Wildcats to the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
. In three seasons with Arizona, he compiled a record of 24–4 in 30 starts.
Professional career
He was drafted by the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in the 5th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
and made his professional debut for the Ogden Raptors
Ogden Raptors
The Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
in mid-season, going 0-2, 3.69 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 16 appearances, 6 of them as a starter. Primarily a starter in college, he was converted to a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
at Ogden. His maximum-effort delivery and his 92–94 mph fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
with a pair of strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
breaking balls led to his consideration as a closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
.
In , he saw action with the Columbus Catfish
Columbus Catfish
The Columbus Catfish were a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia. They were a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and were an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays since September 29, 2006. The Catfish relocated to Bowling Green, Kentucky for the 2009 season.The Catfish played home...
, Vero Beach Dodgers and Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
.
For the season, Meloan began the year with Double-A Jacksonville, compiling a 5–2 record with a terrific 2.18 ERA in 35 relief appearances and notching 19 saves to be selected to the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
All-Star team. He won the post-season "Double-A Relief Pitcher of the Year" Award.
After the all-star break, he was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
and he was recalled to the Dodgers on September 1, 2007. He made his Major League debut for the Dodgers that night against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, working two innings of relief. He wound up pitching in five games for the Dodgers after his September callup, working 7.1 innings and finishing with an 11.05 ERA.
On July 26, , Meloan was traded to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
along with minor league catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana (baseball)
Carlos Santana is a Dominican Republic professional baseball player, who is currently a catcher and first baseman with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball's American League.-Professional career:...
for infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Casey Blake
Casey Blake
William Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
. On July 2, 2009, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
for pitcher Winston Abreu
Winston Abreu
Winston Leonardo Abreu is a Minor League Baseball pitcher who is currently a relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays organization. At age 16, he was signed by the Atlanta Braves as a minor league free agent on July 2, . He bats and throws right-handed...
. Meloan had pitched 44 innings in Triple-A (for the Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
) before being traded, compiling a 0-0 record, with one save in 25 appearances with a 5.52 ERA.
Meloan was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Rays on August 7, and claimed off waivers by the Pirates on August 12. On August 31, 2009 he was again designated for assignment. He was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
on September 2, 2009. After missing all of the season due to Tommy John Surgery, Meloan Rehabed at Kansas City Sports Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy and was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento.