The San Diego Padres are continuing their quest to find viable major league pitchers for their starting rotation. Tim Melville has become their latest reclamation project.
There was a time when Tim Melville was considered one of the better pitching prospects in baseball. Back in 2010, he was rated the 93rd best prospect in the game according to Baseball Prospectus. However, injuries and ineffectiveness quickly ended his status as a top prospect, as Melville’s career appeared to have stalled in the minors.
Last season, the 26 year old finally cracked the majors with the Reds. He struggled, allowing 16 runs, 12 earned, on 16 hits, including five homers, and nine walks in his nine innings. Melville ended up back in the minors, and in independent ball, before a disastrous one game stint with the Twins. That performance led to his being placed on waivers, where he was claimed by the San Diego Padres on Saturday.
#Padres have claimed RHP Tim Melville off waivers from #mntwins.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) August 26, 2017
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For San Diego, the move certainly makes sense. Despite his ongoing command issues, Melville has struck out 615 batters in his 747 minor league innings. His command issues have also been somewhat under control, with Melville issuing just 41 walks in 113.2 minor league innings this season, while striking out 112 batters. He did not replicate that success with the Twins, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks in 3.1 innings, but Melville is certainly worth a flier.
Given his strikeout potential, the Padres may regard him as a possible reliever. There are openings in the bullpen after Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer were sent to the Royals at the deadline. It would not be outside the realm of possibility for Melville to follow the path set by Brad Hand and Kirby Yates, becoming solid relievers after being claimed off the waiver wire.
Next: Marlins to the playoffs?
The San Diego Padres have been in need of help on their pitching staff. Tim Melville is their latest attempt to find an answer going forward.