Free Mark Melancon!

When David Robertson had to leave a game last week due to a strain in his lower back, I wondered if he would end up landing on the DL. My mind raced to the topic of who his possible replacement would be from AAA. The best candidate, in my mind, is one Mark Melancon.

The 6'2", 215 lb. right-hander had once been anointed as the Yankees' "future closer," and now has nothing left to prove in the minors. In 2009, Melancon posted tremendous numbers in AAA; he posted a shiny 2.69 FIP, which was supported by a 8.73 K/9 and a 1.78 BB/9. And this came after a 2008 in which he skipped three levels of the minors, and posted a cumulative 3.04 FIP. Melancon has shown spectactular command throughout his minor league career; he has never posted a BB/9 above 2.70, and that was in 2006. This year, however, Melancon has posted an unusually high 3.90 BB/9, but has been striking men out at a higher rate (10.50 K/9) in 30.0 innings. It should also be noted that he posted a 4.52 FIP in 20.1 major-league innings, but those statistics come from a sample too small to draw conclusions from.

While the increase in free passes may be of concern, something else jumps out about Melancon. In his minor league career, Melancon has induced ground-balls on 57.3% of balls in play; a huge number. In addition, Melancon does not show a noticeable platoon split. These factors, combined with his good control, make Melancon a good right-handed option out of the Yankees' major-league bullpen. While it is certainly hopeful that the Yankees' current bullpen remains healthy, if somebody else goes down with injury (or is ineffective), Melancon should be the first person the Yanks call on.