Underrated reliever: Mark Melancon

In the second edition of a three-part series, Mark Melancon of the Pittsburgh Pirates will be gauged as an underrated reliever who lacks widespread recognition. Melancon was a part-time closer in 2013 before taking over sole responsibilities for the position in 2014. After bouncing around with the New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox, the 29-year-old right-hander has found comfort and success in Pittsburgh over the last two years.

Melancon only topped 70 appearances once during his first four years in the major leagues. In 2011’s 71-game showing with Houston, Melancon posted a 2.78 ERA and had 20 saves. In 2012 with Boston, his numbers became lopsided. He put up a 6.20 ERA and surrendered eight home runs in 45 innings pitched. His 2009 and 2010 seasons weren’t significant enough bodies of work to be considered noteworthy.

Now let’s acknowledge the impressive numbers and back-to-back strong campaigns in Pittsburgh. 2013: 71 innings pitched, 70 strikeouts, 1.39 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. 2014: 71 innings pitched, 71 strikeouts, 1.90 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. In these 142 total innings, Melancon’s allowed only three home runs. By any standard, he’s been extremely effective and reliable as a late-inning staple in a Pirates’ uniform. So what signaled his success and turned an inconsistent right-hander into a borderline lights-out closer?

Simply put, Melancon’s developed a cutter and has thrown a high amount of them since joining the Pirates. According to FanGraphs, Melancon didn’t feature a cutter in 2009 and 2010. In 2011 and 2012, it was an option, but not a go-to offering. He used it 17.2% and 26.3% of the time in these years. In 2013 and 2014, the right-hander’s gone to the cut action on 56.1% and 48% of occasions. That’s a sizeable increase from earlier in his career. In turn, Melancon’s gone to his fastball 27.1% and 27.3% of the time with the Pirates, down from an often 50% or greater amount during stints with other clubs.

As mentioned in my Jake McGee underrated reliever article, identity is an underestimated aspect in the lives of bullpen fixtures. Melancon’s initial MLB pitch selections point to a hurler with an undefined identity searching for answers. In Pittsburgh, three out of four pitches from Melancon have been fastballs or cutters. His heater typically stays around 93 mph and his cutter lives in the 92 mph range. His primary third offering is a curveball in the 81 mph area, giving him versatile velocity and break to work off his two main pitches. He’s basically a soft-thrower with movement in the world of closers, but his style is defined. This self-discovery correlates with stronger numbers.

Melancon also proves to be underrated in his strong handling of both sides of the plate. According to his splits, he pitched 34.2 innings against lefties and 36.1 frames against righties in 2014. Lefties had the following slash line: .163/.202/.213. Righties were slightly better: .221/.265/.259. He allowed a total of seven extra-base hits and 11 walks. Overall, Melancon surrenders limited baserunners and rare extra-base hits, plus he dominates a typically difficult side for right-handed pitchers and produces favorably against the other. His numbers and 93 mph fastball are far more desirable than unreliable wildness and a heater in the 100 mph range.

One last aspect of Melancon is hugely appealing. With the Pirates chasing a playoff spot that they ultimately landed, Melancon grew stronger toward the end of the year. In the first half of the season, he posted a 2.32 ERA and gave up both of his home runs. During the second half, Melancon’s ERA was 1.23 and opponents only hit .179 against him. In high leverage and playoff push circumstances, a former journeyman became an All-Star level closer. This success should sustain given Melancon’s comfort in Pittsburgh and commitment to his fastball, cutter and curveball combination. Much like McGee though, Melancon’s not a household name. He’s just an excellent and underrated reliever.