Prospect Countdown: #26 Tim Melville

26. Tim Melville Right Handed Pitcher

photo courtesy of: Brad Glazier, milb.com

Age: 23
Position: RHP
Height: 6-5
Weight: 210
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Drafted in the 4th Round of the 2008 Amateur Draft
From: Wentzville, MO

Paden Bennett (NR):  Melville was one of my favorite Royals prospects for his first couple seasons, but as the years have gone on he has been one of the most frustrating prospects in recent memory.  He has excellent stuff but Melville just cant seem to figure it out.  He has struggled to find an "out pitch" or a good secondary pitch to go along with his great fastball.  My hopes are all but gone for Melville.

Joe Cox (25): Melville will be entering is age 23 season, and needs to show major improvements if he wants to progress through the minors.  Melville has a projectable frame at 6-5 210 pounds, and was a top prospect coming into the 2008 amateur draft.  The Royals swooped on him later in the draft because of sign-ability issues, but have yet to reap any benefits from Melville.  2012 proved to be his worst professional season to date, as he showed continued problems with command and was also injured for much of the year.   Melville’s fastball can touch 95, and anyone who can do that has hope.  For Melville a move to the pen appears to be in order.  If he can find any secondary pitch and can somehow find the zone his ceiling looks to be that of a middle reliever if he makes it to the majors at all.

Damion Mandalas (NR): At this point Tim Melville's stock on prospect ratings is based purely off his pedigree. In his first three seasons, Melville was average at best relative to his league competition. Last season, Melville was limited to just 34.1 innings and was atrocious. Hopefully, poor health played into his performance, but I have trouble seeing him as anything more than a bust. With such strong stuff and the fact that he is going to be just 23 for 2013, perhaps he can regain some sort of form and confidence and find some semblance in a bullpen role.

Dan Ware (26):  Tim's 4 year career in the minors has been, for the most part, a disappointment.  A lot of people seem to think that he'll never even get to the wear the Royals uniform at Kauffman because of his performance in the minors.  Here's another guy on my list that I want to see improve drastically to get a call to the show.  Perhaps it's being the same age and growing up just a few hours away from my hometown.  I see a situation with Melville similar to what we've recently discussed with Brett Eibner.  It wouldn't surprise me if Tim were given one more chance to prove himself in the rotation before coaches decide to put him in the 'pen.  If he can work the kinks out of his control issues, he'll be deadly.  

Total Points: 11