Becomes 16th player to reach MLB after playing on Long Island
(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 21, 2017) – The Long Island Ducks today announced that right-handed pitcher Tim Melville has been called up to the Major Leagues by the Minnesota Twins. He is slated to start for the Twins in Chicago against the White Sox during game one of their doubleheader on Monday.
“Like many before him, Tim used his time with the Ducks as a springboard to return to the game’s highest level,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “We are very happy for him and will be rooting him on from Long Island.”
Melville made nine starts with the Flock and compiled a 3-4 record with a 3.44 ERA. In 47 innings of work, the righty struck out 48 batters while walking only 18 and allowing 41 hits. The Virginia resident struck out 14 batters over six scoreless innings in his final start with the Flock, a victory over the New Britain Bees on June 7. The total tied a franchise single-game record, set previously by Mike Loree on September 14, 2011 at Southern Maryland and Rich Hill on August 9, 2015 against Camden.
The Twins purchased Melville’s contract on June 10, and he was assigned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings of the International League. Since joining the club, he has compiled a 4-3 record with a 2.70 ERA and one complete game in 11 games (10 starts). The 27-year-old has struck out 64 batters while walking just 23 in 66 and two-thirds innings. Highlights have included an 11-strikeout performance over seven innings of one-run ball on July 28 at Toledo and a pair of starts in which he allowed no earned runs in eight innings, taking place July 6 against Pawtucket and July 21 vs. Toledo.
Melville is the 16th Ducks player to reach the Majors after playing on Long Island and first since Rich Hill did so with the Boston Red Sox in 2015. He is also the first Duck to return to the big leagues with the Twins. The 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 | 2017 | Minnesota Twins | 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)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 37 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15{2db62e8169997a8d599beca7d6013ac1e46056278d69ddd3df039f4c0be21f7d} of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
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