Right-hander returns to Majors after playing on Long Island for second time
(Photo courtesy of Joe Doll)
(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 21, 2019) – The Colorado Rockies promoted 2019 Long Island Ducks right-handed pitcher Tim Melville to the Major Leagues on Wednesday. He started the team’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, thereby becoming the third Ducks alumnus to reach the MLB level after playing on Long Island in 2019.
Melville turned in a gem for the Rockies, tossing seven innings of one-run ball to earn his first Major League win. He allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four batters, throwing 65 of his 101 pitches for strikes. He also impressed at the plate, collecting an RBI single in the fourth inning for his first big league hit and RBI. He later drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt in the sixth. Colorado won the game 7-2.
Melville returns to the Majors after beginning the season with the Ducks. He made two starts with Long Island, winning both and allowing just one run over 12 innings. The righty gave up seven hits and three walks while striking out 13 batters as well. He went on to make 18 appearances (17 starts) with Triple-A Albuquerque in the Pacific Coast League, compiling a 10-5 record with a 5.42 ERA and 94 strikeouts over 96.1 innings. Melville won three consecutive starts for Isotopes prior to his promotion to the Rockies.
This marks the second time the 29-year-old has reached the game’s highest level after pitching with the Ducks. In 2017, his contract was purchased by the Minnesota Twins after going 3-4 with a 3.45 ERA in nine starts as a member of the Flock. He was called up by the Twins in August after going 4-3 with a 2.70 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 11 games (10 starts) with Triple-A Rochester in the International League. The Virginia native was called up to The Show once again later that season with the San Diego Padres after he made two starts with Triple-A El Paso. In addition to the Rockies, Padres and Twins, Melville has also pitched in the Major Leagues with the Cincinnati Reds in 2016.
Following is the complete list of Ducks players to reach MLB after playing on Long Island:
| PLAYER | YEAR(S) WITH DUCKS | PROMOTED BY | PROMOTION YEAR |
| Tim Melville | 2019 2017 |
Colorado Rockies Minnesota Twins |
2019 2017 |
| Fernando Abad | 2018 | San Francisco Giants | 2019 |
| Wilkin Castillo | 2018 | Miami Marlins | 2019 |
| Henderson Alvarez | 2017 | Philadelphia Phillies | 2017 |
| Quintin Berry | 2017 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2017 |
| Rich Hill | 2015 | Boston Red Sox | 2015 |
| Scott Rice | 2008 | New York Mets | 2013 |
| Lew Ford | 2009, 2011-Present | Baltimore Orioles | 2012 |
| Kip Wells | 2010 | San Diego Padres | 2012 |
| Justin Hampson | 2010 | New York Mets | 2012 |
| Joey Gathright | 2010 | Boston Red Sox | 2011 |
| Robinson Cancel | 2010 | Houston Astros | 2011 |
| Erick Almonte | 2006 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2011 |
| Jay Gibbons | 2008 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2010 |
| Mel Stocker | 2006 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2007 |
| Nelson Figueroa | 2006 | New York Mets | 2008 |
| Ken Ray | 2002 | Atlanta Braves | 2006 |
| Bill Pulsipher | 2004 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2005 |
| Pedro Borbon Jr. | 2003 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2003 |
| Carlos Baerga | 2001 | Boston Red Sox | 2002 |
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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