Mark Melancon, Relief Pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks


Date of Birth: 3/28/1985
Birthplace: Wheat Ridge, Colorado
College: University of Arizona

Mark Melancon, relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was first drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003 but he opted instead for college. He became a closer in his sophomore year at the University of Arizona.

Melancon was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2006 and he spent that season in their minor league system. He had Tommy John surgery in 2007 and he missed the entire season. In 2008, he returned to the minors and continued there until 2009, when he joined the Yankees for 13 games.

After two games with the Yankees in 2010, Melancon was traded to the Houston Astros. He pitched in 20 games with the Astros that year. The next year, he had a full season in the majors, pitching a career high 74.1 innings for the Astros. He finished the 2011 season with a 2.78 ERA, an 8-4 record, and 20 saves.

The Astros traded Melancon to the Boston Red Sox in December, 2011. He split his time in 2012 between the minors and the Red Sox, pitching 45.0 innings for Boston. He was traded again in December, 2012, this time to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Melancon pitched from the Pirates' bullpen in 2013, both as a regular relief pitcher and as their closer. He finished the season with a career low ERA of 1.39 and 16 saves in 71.0 innings in 72 games. He signed a one-year, $5.4 million contract with the Pirates in January, 2014. He was their closer in 2014 and he finished with a 1.90 ERA and 33 saves in 72 games.

Melancon had a strong 2015 season as the Pirates' closer. He led the National League in saves with 51 and he was named the 2015 NL Reliever of the Year. He finished the season with career highs in saves, innings pitched (76.2), and games (78). He had a 2.23 ERA and 62 strikeouts to 14 walks. He pitched one inning in the postseason Wild Card game and he gave up one hit.

Melancon was traded to the Washington Nationals on July 30, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with a 1.64 ERA in 45 games with the Pirates and 30 games with the Nationals. He had 2 wins to 2 losses, 47 saves, and 65 strikeouts to 12 walks in 71.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 4.1 innings in 4 games and he gave up 3 hits and no runs.

Melancon signed a four-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on December 5, 2016. He spent time on the DL in 2017. He finished the season with 1 win and 2 losses, 11 saves, 29 strikeouts to 6 walks, and a 4.50 ERA in 30.0 innings in 32 games.

Melancon spent time on the DL in 2018 with a right elbow flexor strain. In 39.0 innings in 41 games, he had one win and 4 losses, 3 saves, 31 strikeouts to 14 walks, and a 3.23 ERA.

Melancon was traded to the Atlanta Braves on July 31, 2019. He finished the 2019 season with 5 wins and 2 losses, 12 saves, 68 strikeouts to 18 walks, and a 3.61 ERA in 67.1 innings in 43 games with the Giants and 23 games with the Braves. In the postseason, he pitched 3.0 innings in 3 games and he gave up 8 hits and 4 runs. He struck out 4 batters and walked 2, and he had no wins and 1 loss, 2 saves, and a 12.00 ERA.

Melancon pitched in 23 games in 2020. He finished the season with 2 wins and 1 loss, 14 strikeouts to 7 walks, 11 saves, and a 2.78 ERA in 22.2 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 6.1 innings in 7 games, and he gave up just 2 hits and no runs. He struck out 5 batters and walked none.

Melancon became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He signed with the San Diego Padres on February 18, 2021. He finished the 2021 season with 4 wins and 3 losses, an MLB leading 39 saves, 59 strikeouts to 25 walks, and a 2.23 ERA in 64.2 innings in 64 games.

Melancon became a free agent on November 5, 2021. He signed with the Diamondbacks on December 1st.

Career pitching statistics for Melancon through 2021 include:

  • 670 games played
  • 670.2 innings pitched
  • 34-30 win-loss record
  • 244 saves
  • 608 strikeouts to 171 walks
  • 2.79 ERA

Personal Life

Melancon and his wife Mary Catherine were married in 2009. They have two children.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Mark Melancon
ESPN - Mark Melancon