Mark Melancon

Early years

Melancon was born in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and attended Golden High School, where he lettered all four years in baseball and basketball and three times in football. He was also named to several All-State teams in these three sports. He was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Melancon was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 30th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft. He declined the offer so that he could attend the University of Arizona.

College career

As a member of the Arizona Wildcats baseball team, Melancon appeared in 29 games (a single-season freshman record) and played in 5 post-season games. He pitched in 10 games for the United States national baseball team that summer. In his sophomore year he worked as a closing pitcher, achieving 11 saves (a single-season record) in 34 appearances. He played a shortened season in 2006 due to a strained elbow ligament, and had a college career total of 18 saves.

Draft and minor leagues

Melancon was drafted by the New York Yankees in the ninth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. Melancon pitched for the Staten Island Yankees of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League in 2006. He missed the entire 2007 season after having Tommy John surgery in October 2006.

In 2008, he pitched for three of the Yankees minor league affiliates: the Single-A Tampa Yankees, Double-A Trenton Thunder and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, going 8–1 with a 2.27 ERA in 41 relief appearances, holding batters to a .202 batting average. Following the season, Baseball America rated him the organization's ninth best prospect.

New York Yankees

Melancon was called up to the majors for the first time on April 25, 2009. He made his major league debut as a relief pitcher against the Boston Red Sox on April 26, pitching two scoreless innings. He was optioned back to Triple-A on May 8, and recalled on July 9. Melancon played in 13 games with an 0–1 record and a 3.86 ERA during his time in the Majors in 2009. Although he was not on the 25-man active roster for the postseason, he got his first World Series ring as the Yankees won the World Series over the Phillies.

Melancon started the 2010 season in the minors and made 2 appearances in the Majors accumulating an ERA of 9.00 in 2 relief appearances with the Yankees.

Houston Astros

Melancon was traded along with Jimmy Paredes to the Houston Astros for Lance Berkman on July 31, 2010. For the rest of 2010 with the Astros, Melancon went 2–0 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 relief appearances. Overall in 2010 combined with two teams, Melancon made 22 total appearances going 2–0 with a 4.22 ERA.

In 2011, Melancon experienced more playing time in the Majors as he appeared in 71 games with an 8–4 record, 20 saves, and a 2.78 ERA.

Boston Red Sox

On December 14, 2011, Melancon was traded to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Jed Lowrie and starter Kyle Weiland. After only his first four appearances in 2012, where his ERA was 49.50, Melancon was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on April 18, the day after he gave up six runs, including three home runs, without recording an out against the Texas Rangers. Melancon was recalled June 10 after an injury to Rich Hill. During his time in the Majors with the Red Sox in 2012, Melancon finished the season 0–2 and a 6.20 ERA and 1 save in 41 appearances.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On December 26, 2012, the Red Sox traded Melancon, Stolmy Pimentel, Jerry Sands and Iván DeJesús Jr. to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Brock Holt and Joel Hanrahan.

Melancon began the 2013 season as a setup reliever, with Jason Grilli as the closer. He was selected as an All Star as a setup man in 2013, the first selection of his career. After Grilli went on the disabled list, Melancon was named the acting closer for the Pirates. Melancon had a 1.39 ERA, a 3–2 record, and 16 saves. In Game 3 of the 2013 National League Division Series, Melancon got his first career postseason win, but the Pirates lost the series to the St. Louis Cardinals after a deciding five games.

Melancon avoided arbitration with the Pirates by signing a one-year contract worth $2.95 million for the 2014 season. He started the 2014 season as the Pirates setup reliever. He served as a closer for two weeks while Grilli was on the disabled list. However, Melancon was named the Pirates new permanent closer after Grilli was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in June 2014. Melancon finished his 2014 campaign posting a 3–5 record with a 1.90 ERA and converting 33 saves in 37 opportunities.

The Pirates agreed to pay Melancon $5.4 million for the 2015 season. Starting the 2015 season as the Pirates' closer, Melancon was named an All Star for the second time in his career, and his first as a closer. He recorded his 100th career save against the Kansas City Royals and surpassed Mike Williams to become the all-time Pirates single-season saves leader, recording his 47th of the season on September 19. He finished the season with a league-leading 51 saves and won the 2015 National League Reliever of the Year Award after the season.

Melancon and the Pirates agreed to a $9.65 million salary for the 2016 season, his final year of arbitration eligibility. Melancon was named to the National League's 2016 All-Star roster, his second straight All-Star appearance and his third overall.

Washington Nationals

On July 30, 2016, the Pirates traded Melancon to the Washington Nationals for Felipe Rivero and Taylor Hearn. He secured his first save as a National on August 7 against the San Francisco Giants.

San Francisco Giants

On December 5, 2016, the San Francisco Giants and Melancon agreed to a four-year, $62 million contract.

Melancon began the 2017 season with bad footing as he blew a save opportunity that marked the day Madison Bumgarner hit two home runs on opening day against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Melancon allowed two runs in the ninth inning; the second run he allowed was the walk off single from Chris Owings as the Giants lost 5-6. After being placed on the DL, Melancon lost the closer position to newly acquired Sam Dyson.

On September 4, 2017, it was announced Melancon would undergo surgery to alleviate chronic exertional compartment syndrome in his right forearm.

Pitching style

Melancon is a control pitcher with a low-90s cut fastball, a frequent high-70s to low-80s knuckle curve with 12-6 action, a less frequent four seam fastball in the low 90s and a rare changeup, an assortment which elicits many ground balls.

Personal life

Melancon and his wife, Mary Catherine, have three children.