Jackson: Melotakis Finally Arrives

[Seth Stohs]

From his AFL report, MLB.com's Josh Jackson wrote a nice piece on Twins LHP Mason Melotakis. 

 

He was scheduled to pitch in Arizona two years ago, but he instead had Tommy John surgery. He was on the fast track, but obviously surgery delayed things. He's handled them in stride. 

 

In his first year back from Tommy John surgery, he threw 33.1 innings over 36 appearances. Basically, he is one year behind JT Chargois in terms of return. And we can draw some similarities in how they were/are being handled.

 

In their first years after surgery, neither pitched more than 1 inning in any appearance or worked on back-to-back days. That can be controlled better in the minor leagues. As frustrated as some were with Chargois not being up sooner in 2016, the organization (understandably) wanted to put him into some multi-inning appearances and back-to-back game situations to see how he rebounded. Again, those things can be controlled in the minors.

 

Once Chargois got to the big leagues, we saw him pitch often more than an inning and frequently in back-to-back appearances. It should be considered a WIN for the Twins organization in successfully bringing him back. 

 

I would expect the same as far as how Melotakis would be handled in 2017... He's got plus-stuff and a late-inning mentality. He has a chance to be really good in the near future.

 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20161031&content_id=207516072&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

 

[bluechipper]

Chargois and Melotakis shouldn't really be pitching more than one inning at a time, just saying.

[beckmt]

Relief pitching is changing.  Using your best relievers when it really matters regardless of the inning.  Hope it goes well for both of them.

[Thrylos]

I think that the Twins need to come up North with Melotakis after 2017 Spring Training.  He is ready and needs to play against MLB competition.  I hope that with Ryan (and soon his company) gone, the seasons of Twins starting with journeymen at the MLB-level are over.  Time for the prospects to play.

[bluechipper]

 

I think that the Twins need to come up North with Melotakis after 2017 Spring Training.  He is ready and needs to play against MLB competition.  I hope that with Ryan (and soon his company) gone, the seasons of Twins starting with journeymen at the MLB-level are over.  Time for the prospects to play.

I'd be ok with that, but I'm not sure what to expect from Melotakis. The 11.3 K/9 last year is nice, but the 9.7 H/9 is pretty bad.

[Han Joelo]

Exciting stuff.  After watching lefty's Miller and Chapman in the playoffs, it's fun to hope we might have a similar guy.  SIMILAR.  I said similar, in that he is left-handed and throws hard.

 

Also, here a suggestion for all you Ryan haters:  Can't you just caption your profile or put something in your footer to that effect?  Does every comment need to include a parting shot?  Try this under your name: "Terry Ryan ruined the Twins and my life and I shall never forget."  Or something like that.  Just a thought on how to save yourselves a little typing.  Or, just let it go.

[Vanimal46]

Melotakis should start in AAA and play things by ear on when he gets the call up. Brandon Warne in his 40 man report card thread mentioned the concern about Melotakis' splits vs. RH and LH hitters. This year RH hitters had an .850 OPS. and .587 OPS to LH.. Pre-surgery, it was .790 to RH and .622 to LH. 

We're all hoping for the best, but there's a real chance that we're clamoring for just a LOOGY....