Kevin Melillo
Encyclopedia
Kevin Michael Melillo is an American
professional baseball player.
. He has an older sister, Shana. He attended Lake Brantley High School
in Altamonte Springs
. He attended the University of South Carolina
, where he played second base for four years (although he was redshirt
ed his freshman year). In 2003, he was named to the Atlanta NCAA Regional All-Tournament team. In 2004, he was named to the Columbia NCAA Regional All-Tournament team.
Melillo was selected by the Oakland Athletics
in the 5th round (157th overall) in the baseball draft.
, Oakland's Short-Season A team for the 2004 season. In 2005, he was advanced to the Kane County Cougars
, the team's Single-A affiliate. After 78 games, he was bumped up to the Stockton Ports
, the Single-A Advanced team, where he hit .400. After 22 games, he was promoted again, this time to the Double-A Midland RockHounds
in the Texas League
. He remained with Midland for the 2006 season, hitting .280. During this time, he played almost entirely at second base, with five combined games at first base, shortstop, and outfield.
In 2007, Melillo was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento River Cats
. On June 24, , he made his major league debut against the New York Mets
, as a pinch hitter
for pitcher Jay Marshall
. He reached on a walk
, his only plate appearance and game to date; he thus became the fifth player in MLB history to accomplish this "feat," the best-known of which is Eddie Gaedel
. The next day, he was optioned back to Sacramento. He spent one month of the 2007 season (from July 3 to August 2) on the disabled list with a sprained left wrist.
On June 5, , Melillo was traded by Oakland to the Toronto Blue Jays
for cash considerations and was assigned to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. In Syracuse, he playing more games at first and third base than he did at second base. On April 1, 2009, he was released by Toronto. Less than a week later, he signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers
and was assigned to the Double-A Huntsville Stars
. He batted .249 in 113 game with Huntsville, again playing more at first and third base, and just 12 games at second base. On November 9, 2009, he was granted free agency.
On January 29, 2010, he signed as a free sgent with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was converted to an outfielder
.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
signed Melillo to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training on January 14, 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball player.
Early and personal life
Melillo was born on May 14, 1982, to Joanne and John Melillo in Orlando, FloridaOrlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. He has an older sister, Shana. He attended Lake Brantley High School
Lake Brantley High School
Lake Brantley High School is located in Altamonte Springs, Florida, an urban community approximately 13 miles north of Orlando, Florida, USA. It is a public high school serving grade levels 9-12 in Seminole County, FL, operated by Seminole County Public Schools...
in Altamonte Springs
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Altamonte Springs is a city in Seminole county in the U.S. state of Florida, which had a population of 41,496 at the 2010 census. Located primarily in Seminole County, the city is in the northern suburbs of the Orlando–Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the United States...
. He attended the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, where he played second base for four years (although he was redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
ed his freshman year). In 2003, he was named to the Atlanta NCAA Regional All-Tournament team. In 2004, he was named to the Columbia NCAA Regional All-Tournament team.
Melillo was selected 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....
in the 5th round (157th overall) in the baseball draft.
Professional career
Melillo signed nine days after the draft, and was assigned to the Vancouver CanadiansVancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...
, Oakland's Short-Season A team for the 2004 season. In 2005, he was advanced to the Kane County Cougars
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Geneva, Illinois, about 35 miles west of Chicago....
, the team's Single-A affiliate. After 78 games, he was bumped up to the Stockton Ports
Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A – Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in...
, the Single-A Advanced team, where he hit .400. After 22 games, he was promoted again, this time to the Double-A Midland RockHounds
Midland RockHounds
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats...
in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. He remained with Midland for the 2006 season, hitting .280. During this time, he played almost entirely at second base, with five combined games at first base, shortstop, and outfield.
In 2007, Melillo was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento River Cats
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
. On June 24, , he made his major league debut against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
for pitcher Jay Marshall
Jay Marshall (baseball)
Jay William Marshall is a Major League Baseball free agent relief pitcher.Marshall grew up in St. Louis. He is the son of Rich and Debbie Marshall. He graduated from John F...
. He reached on a walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, his only plate appearance and game to date; he thus became the fifth player in MLB history to accomplish this "feat," the best-known of which is Eddie Gaedel
Eddie Gaedel
Edward Carl Gaedel was an American with dwarfism who became famous for participating in a Major League Baseball game....
. The next day, he was optioned back to Sacramento. He spent one month of the 2007 season (from July 3 to August 2) on the disabled list with a sprained left wrist.
On June 5, , Melillo was traded by Oakland to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for cash considerations and was assigned to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. In Syracuse, he playing more games at first and third base than he did at second base. On April 1, 2009, he was released by Toronto. Less than a week later, he signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and was assigned to the Double-A Huntsville Stars
Huntsville Stars
The Huntsville Stars are a minor league baseball team of the Southern League and are the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Huntsville, Alabama and are named for the space industry with which Huntsville is economically tied .The Stars play their home games at Joe W...
. He batted .249 in 113 game with Huntsville, again playing more at first and third base, and just 12 games at second base. On November 9, 2009, he was granted free agency.
On January 29, 2010, he signed as a free sgent with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was converted to an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
signed Melillo to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training on January 14, 2011.