Long Island inks Marc Krauss, Tim Melville and Dennis O’Grady
(Central Islip, N.Y., April 6, 2017) – The three-time Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of infielder Marc Krauss as well as right-handed pitchers Tim Melville and Dennis O’Grady. All three enter their first season with the Ducks. Krauss and Melville begin their ninth season in professional baseball, while O’Grady begins his sixth.
“We are excited to keep adding Major League talent to our roster,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “Marc has hit for power at all levels throughout his career, while both Tim and Dennis will help fortify our pitching staff.”
Krauss comes to Long Island with three seasons (2013-15) of Major League experience. During that time, he combined to play in 146 games for the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers. The Ohio native totaled 12 home runs, 42 RBI, 30 runs and 18 doubles while also posting a .986 fielding percentage. Krauss’ first MLB hit was a pinch hit double off of St. Louis Cardinals reliever Edward Mujica, while his first Major League homer was a two-run blast off Texas Rangers pitcher Justin Grimm. He also homered in his first at-bat with the Tigers in 2015, a solo shot off Seattle Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker.
The 29-year-old spent the 2016 season with Triple-A Las Vegas in the New York Mets organization. In 85 games, he totaled 14 home runs, 39 RBI, 42 runs and nine doubles. Previously, he was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 after ranking in the California League’s Top 10 for home runs (25), RBI (87), runs (107), hits (160), and games played (138). The Ohio University alum was also selected as a Baseball America Double-A All-Star in 2010, a Southern League Mid-Season All-Star in 2011 and 2012 and a Post-Season All-Star in both the California League (2010) and Southern League (2012). Krauss was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2009 amateur draft.
Melville reached the Major Leagues as a member of the Cincinnati Reds in 2016. He made three appearances (two starts) in “The Show” and struck out eight batters in nine innings of work. In his MLB debut at Great American Ball Park on April 10, he allowed just one run over four innings and struck out five as Cincinnati defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2-1. The 27-year-old also made nine appearances (three starts) during the season between Triple-A Louisville and the team’s Rookie-level affiliate in Arizona.
Prior to his time with the Reds, Melville pitched in the Kansas City Royals and Tigers organizations. The Virginia native made a career-high 27 starts with Triple-A Toledo in 2015 and struck out 102 batters over a career-best 151 and two-thirds innings. In 2011 with Single-A Wilmington of the Carolina League, he earned career-highs in wins (11), appearances (29) and strikeouts (108). He was also named the Carolina League’s Pitcher of the Week on August 1 of that year. Melville was originally drafted by the Royals in the fourth round of the 2008 amateur draft.
O’Grady joins the Flock after pitching with the San Diego Padres organization for the first five seasons of his career. He split time in 2015 with Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso, appearing in 34 games (14 starts) and striking out 72 batters over a career-high 96 and one-third innings. The Floral Park native also pitched with both teams during the 2014 campaign and combined to go 7-1 with a 4.28 ERA, one save and 58 strikeouts over 57 relief appearances.
The 27-year-old struck out a career-best 80 batters in 78 innings during the 2012 season with Single-A affiliates Fort Wayne and Lake Elsinore. He also posted a 7-2 record that season with a 4.27 ERA in 43 games. One year later, the Archbishop Molloy High School and Duke University alum compiled a 3.86 ERA in 54 games, struck out 69 in 70 innings of work and secured a career-high 10 saves. O’Grady was originally drafted by the Padres in the 34th round of the 2011 amateur draft.
In an additional transaction, the Ducks have traded left-handed pitcher Jarret Leverett to the Lancaster Barnstormers in exchange for a player to be named later during the 2017 season.
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
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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 36 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, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15{2db62e8169997a8d599beca7d6013ac1e46056278d69ddd3df039f4c0be21f7d} of the US population.
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