Long Island inks Jon Meloan and Brendan Harris
(Central Islip, N.Y., May 16, 2014) – The Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of right-handed pitcher Jon Meloan and infielder Brendan Harris. Meloan returns for his second season with the Flock while Harris makes his Atlantic League debut.
“We’re pleased to welcome two players with a combined 11 seasons of Major League experience,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “Jon was outstanding for us in 2012, and we look forward to adding a player of Brendan’s caliber to our lineup.”
Meloan appeared in 23 games at the start of the 2012 season with Long Island, earning 11 saves and posting a 4-0 record with a 0.99 ERA. The right-hander struck out 36 batters while walking just eight and earned a contract from the New York Yankees organization on June 22. He then went on to pitch in 20 games at Double-A Trenton and one at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, combining for a 3.70 ERA, four saves and 27 strikeouts in 24 and one-third innings.
The 29-year-old spent three seasons in the Major Leagues from 2007 to 2009, pitching with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics. In 13 career games, he compiled a 4.58 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 17 and two-thirds innings. In seven seasons of professional baseball, the Houston native has a 20-19 minor league record with a 3.54 ERA and 42 saves in 232 games (31 starts). A University of Arizona alum, Meloan was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the fifth round of the 2005 amateur draft.
Harris spent eight seasons in the Major Leagues (2004-10, 2013) and played for six different organizations in the big leagues (Cubs, Expos/Nationals, Reds, Devil Rays, Twins, Angels). In 529 career games, he compiled a .256 batting average with 33 home runs, 167 RBI, 99 doubles and seven triples. His best season came with the Devil Rays in 2007 when he hit .286 with 12 homers, 59 RBI, 149 hits and 35 doubles in 137 games, posting career-highs in nearly every offensive category.
The 33-year-old began the season with Albuquerque (AAA, Dodgers) and was 5-for-15 with one RBI and one run in six games. In 2013, he appeared in 44 Major League games with the Angels and totaled four homers, nine RBI and four doubles in 44 games. The Queensbury, New York native also played 34 games at the Triple-A level split between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA, Yankees) and Round Rock (AAA, Rangers). A College of William and Mary alum, Harris was originally drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round of the 2001 amateur draft.
In corresponding roster moves, the Ducks have released left-handed pitcher Matt Way and placed right-handed pitcher Brad Holt on the inactive list.
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.
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