Tim Melville

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Tim Melville

| image = Tim Melville (48011042722) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Melville with the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2019

| width = 260

| team = Long Island Ducks

| number = 51

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|10|9}}

| birth_place = Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 10

| debutyear = 2016

| debutteam = Cincinnati Reds

| debut2league= CPBL

| debut2date = August 23

| debut2year = 2020

| debut2team = Uni-President Lions

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2019 season

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 2–5

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 6.75

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 39

| stat2league = CPBL

| stat2year = 2023 season

| stat21label=Win–loss record

| stat21value=12–12

| stat22label=Earned run average

| stat22value=3.84

| stat23label=Strikeouts

| stat23value=144

| teams =

Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2016}})
Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2017}})
San Diego Padres ({{mlby|2017}})
Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2019}})
Uni-President Lions ({{baseball year|2020}}–{{baseball year|2021}})
Wei Chuan Dragons ({{baseball year|2023}})

|awards =

;CPBL

Taiwan Series champion (2020)
Pitched a no-hitter on April 2, 2021

}}

Timothy Macgill Melville (born October 9, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies. Melville has also played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President Lions and Wei Chuan Dragons.

Career

Melville attended Wentzville Holt High School in Wentzville, Missouri. He played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher. In 2007, his junior year, he threw a perfect game.{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/indians-melville-tosses-perfect-game/article_43d5c76b-6ae0-5151-89df-bd2063d604dd.html|title=Indians' Melville tosses perfect game|author=Brandon W. Mudd|date=April 29, 2007|work=stltoday.com|access-date=March 30, 2016}} He pitched to a 10–1 win–loss record and a 0.89 earned run average (ERA) as a junior, and was named the Aflac National Player of the Year. He pitched to an 8–1 win–loss record and a 2.56 ERA in his senior year, while recording 89 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched.{{cite web|url=http://cjonline.com/stories/081608/roy_319265939.shtml#.VvwvavkrJdg|title=Royals pick signs at deadline|work=Topeka Capital-Journal|access-date=March 30, 2016}} He committed to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels on a college baseball scholarship.

=Kansas City Royals=

Baseball America ranked Melville as the best high school player available in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Because of the commitment to UNC, Melville fell out of the first round in the draft. The Kansas City Royals selected him in the fourth round, with the 115th overall selection, and signed him to a contract with a $1.25 million signing bonus.{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/melville-a-millionaire/article_bd451e35-2646-5020-bded-b4e602c83592.html|title=Melville a millionaire|author=Dave Benson|date=August 17, 2008|work=stltoday.com|access-date=March 30, 2016}}

Melville began his professional career with the Burlington Bees of the Single–A Midwest League in 2009, pitching to a 7–7 win–loss record and a 3.79 ERA. He was promoted to the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the High–A Carolina League in 2010, where he struggled, pitching to a 2–12 win–loss record and a 4.97 ERA. He returned to Wilmington in 2011, and compiled an 11–10 record with a 4.32 ERA. Melville required Tommy John surgery in 2012. In 2014, Melville pitched for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Double–A Texas League, but struggled with a 2–11 win–loss record, a 5.50 ERA, while allowing 68 walks in {{frac|129|1|3}} innings.

=Detroit Tigers=

On November 19, 2014, Melville signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization,{{cite web|url=http://www.blessyouboys.com/2015/2/17/8049497/tim-melville-scouting-report-tigers-spring-training-2015|title=Could a move to the bullpen help Tim Melville break out with the Tigers? – Bless You Boys|author=Rob Rogacki|date=February 17, 2015|work=Bless You Boys|access-date=March 30, 2016}} and played for the Toledo Mud Hens of the Triple–A International League.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-121179144|title=Detroit Tigers prospects Tim Melville and Daniel Fields power Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens triumph – MiLB.com News – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|work=Minor League Baseball|access-date=March 30, 2016}} He became a free agent following the season.

=Cincinnati Reds=

On November 25, 2015, Melville signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2016/03/24/tim-melville-overcoming-odds-brink-big-league-debut/82230450/|title=Tim Melville overcoming odds, on brink of big-league debut|date=March 24, 2016|work=Cincinnati.com|access-date=March 30, 2016}} The Reds considered adding Melville to their Opening Day starting rotation, but instead chose Robert Stephenson, who was already on the Reds' 40-man roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2016/04/04/robert-stephenson-can-win-more-big-league-time---later/82625328/|title=Robert Stephenson can win more big-league time - later|first=Zach|last=Buchanan|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=April 4, 2016|access-date=April 4, 2016}} Melville was assigned to the Triple–A Louisville Bats of the International League.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-tim-melville-assigned-to-triple-a-louisville/|title=Reds' Tim Melville: Assigned to Triple-A Louisville|work=CBS Sports|date=April 3, 2016|access-date=April 4, 2016}}

On April 8, the Reds announced Melville would start in the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in place of Anthony DeSclafani, on April 10. The start marked Melville's MLB debut.{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2016/04/08/reds-anthony-desclafani-scratched-sundays-start/82810516/|title=Reds' Melville to start Sunday for DeSclafani|first=C. Trent|last=Rosecrans|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2016}} He threw 4 innings, giving up 1 run in a no-decision vs. Pittsburgh. Melville was designated for assignment by the Reds on April 22. After clearing waivers on April 24, he spent the remainder of the year with Louisville and the Double–A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, logging a combined 4.85 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 38 appearances out of the bullpen. Melville elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=August 1, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}

=Long Island Ducks=

On April 6, 2017, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On June 12, 2017, the Minnesota Twins signed him to a minor league contract, assigning him to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. After allowing 5 runs (4 earned) to the Chicago White Sox,{{when|date=August 2017}} Melville was designated for assignment by the Twins to make room for John Curtiss on the roster on August 22.{{Cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/08/twins-designate-tim-melville-for-assignment.html |title = Twins Designate Tim Melville, Will Select Contract of John Curtiss| date=August 22, 2017 }}

=San Diego Padres=

On August 26, 2017, Melville was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/08/padres-claim-tim-melville.html|title=Padres Claim Tim Melville|last=Polishuk|first=Mark|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 26, 2017|access-date=August 26, 2017}} He made only two appearances for the Padres, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with three strikeouts. On November 6, Melville was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas.{{Cite web|title=Outrighted: Twins, Phillies, Rays, Cardinals, Padres, Dodgers, Pirates|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/outrighted-twins-phillies-rays-cardinals-padres-dodgers.html|access-date=October 10, 2023|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 6, 2017 |language=en}} However, Melville rejected the assignment and subsequently elected free agency the following day.

=Baltimore Orioles=

On December 22, 2017, and signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/minor-mlb-transactions-122217-2.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 12/22/17|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 22, 2017|access-date=December 22, 2017}} He spent the entire season with the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, making 40 appearances and registering a 9–6 record and 5.33 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 4 saves across {{fraction|104|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Tim Melville - Stats - Pitching|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tim-melville/9149/stats?position=P|access-date=October 10, 2023|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}} Melville elected free agency following the season on November 2, 2018.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|access-date=April 30, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 6, 2018 |language=en}}

=Long Island Ducks (second stint)=

On February 5, 2019, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web|url=http://liducks.com/news/current/?article_id=1914|title=Former Major Leaguer Melville Returns to Flock|work=Long Island Ducks|date=February 5, 2019|access-date=February 5, 2019}} In two starts, he posted a strong 2–0 record and 0.75 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings of work.

=Colorado Rockies=

On May 3, 2019, Melville's contract was purchased by the Colorado Rockies, and he was assigned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.{{cite web|url=http://liducks.com/news/current/?article_id=1970|title=Tim Melville's Contract Purchased by Colorado Rockies|work=Long Island Ducks|date=May 3, 2019|access-date=May 4, 2019}} On August 21, the Rockies selected Melville's contract and promoted him to the major leagues as an emergency starter.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/08/jon-gray-suffers-season-ending-foot-fracture.html|title=Colorado purchased the contract of right-hander Tim Melville from Triple-A|author=Mark Polishuk|work=MLB Trade Rumors|date=August 21, 2019|access-date=August 21, 2019}} In his Rockies debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Melville pitched 7 innings and allowed only 1 run on 2 hits as the Rockies won 7–2, giving Melville his first major league win. 5 days later, Melville made his debut at Coors Field and had another impressive performance against the Atlanta Braves, pitching 5 shutout innings and striking out 6 as the Rockies went on to defeat the Braves 3–1. Melville's ERA of 0.75 is the 3rd lowest ERA posted by a Rockies pitcher through his first two starts with the club. On October 30, Melville was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Albuquerque.{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/10/30/rockies-roster-moves-tyler-anderson-chad-bettis-gone/|title=Tyler Anderson, Chad Bettis' departures highlight Rockies' roster moves|website=The Denver Post|author=Patrick Saunders|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=October 30, 2019}}

Melville re-signed with the Rockies on a minor league contract on February 5, 2020. He did not play in a game for the organization in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=October 10, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}} Melville was released by the Rockies organization on May 18.

=Uni-President Lions=

On July 12, 2020, Melville signed with the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://cpblstats.com/uni-lions-sign-tim-melville/|title=Uni-Lions Sign Tim Melville|work=CPBLStats.com|date=July 12, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020}} He re-signed with the team for the 2021 season.{{cite web|url=http://cpblstats.com/|title=Uni-Lions Re-Sign Teddy Stankiewicz, Tim Melville, Brock Dykxhoorn for 2021 Season|work=CPBLStats.com|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=December 26, 2020}} On April 2, 2021, Melville pitched a no-hitter against Wei Chuan Dragons becoming the 10th player to do so in Chinese Professional Baseball League history. He also set the record of most pitches thrown in a no-hitter in the league, with 142 pitches.{{Cite web|url=https://allmysportsnews.com/mlb/former-rockies-starter-tim-melville-throws-2021s-first-no-hitter/|title = Former Rockies starter Tim Melville throws 2021's first no-hitter|date = April 2, 2021}} For the season, Melville posted a 8–7 record with a 3.74 ERA and 84 strikeouts over 122.2 innings. He was not re-signed for the 2022 season and became a free agent.

=Wei Chuan Dragons=

Melville took the 2022 season off as he dealt with elbow inflammation. He received platelet-rich plasma treatment for the injury. On February 8, 2023, Melville signed with the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.{{Cite web|title=Wei Chuan Dragons Sign Tim Melville for 2023 Season|url=http://cpblstats.com/wei-chuan-dragons-sign-tim-melville-2023-season/|access-date=2023-02-08|website=cpblstats.com|date=February 8, 2023 |language=en}} Pitching in 3 games, he registered a 9.24 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across {{fraction|12|2|3}} innings of work. On May 27, it was announced that Melville would miss 3–4 months after suffering injuries in his right elbow and tendon, and he was subsequently released by the team.{{Cite web|title=Wei Chuan Dragons Release Tim Melville|url=http://cpblstats.com/wei-chuan-dragons-release-tim-melville/|access-date=2023-05-28|website=cpblstats.com|date=May 28, 2023 |language=en}}

=Long Island Ducks (third stint)=

On August 8, 2024, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Transactions|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=33927|access-date=August 8, 2024|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}} In 12 games for the Ducks, he struggled to an 0–1 record and 11.17 ERA with 15 strikeouts across {{fraction|9|2|3}} innings pitched. Melville became a free agent following the season.

On April 14, 2025, Melville re-signed with Long Island.{{Cite web|title=Spring Training Begins - Two More Signed; Four Invited|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/spring-training-begins--two-more-signed-four-invited/n-6213989|access-date=April 14, 2025|website=oursportscentral.com|language=en}}

Personal life

When Melville was 11 years old, he had surgery to correct his pectus excavatum at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia.{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/hummel-reds-melville-helps-others-understand-unique-surgery/article_d18c1837-739d-5973-af82-829ec00caf7d.html|title=Hummel: Reds' Melville helps others understand unique surgery|first=Rick|last=Hummel|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=April 16, 2016|access-date=April 22, 2016}} A steel rod was implanted in his chest, and removed one and a half years later.{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/26320374/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413200824/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/26320374/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 13, 2016|title=Prospect Melville takes pride in helping others|first=Dick|last=Kaegel|work=MLB.com |date=January 11, 2012|access-date=March 31, 2016}}