Timothy Macgill Melville (born October 9, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies. Melville also played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President Lions and Wei Chuan Dragons.
Career
Melville attended Wentzville Holt High School in Wentzville, Missouri. He played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher. In 2007, his junior year, he threw a perfect game. He pitched to a 10–1 win–loss record and a 0.89 earned run average (ERA) as a junior, and was named the Aflac National Player of the Year. He pitched to an 8–1 win–loss record and a 2.56 ERA in his senior year, while recording 89 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched. He committed to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels on a college baseball scholarship.
Kansas City Royals
Baseball America ranked Melville as the best high school player available in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Because of the commitment to UNC, Melville fell out of the first round in the draft. The Kansas City Royals selected him in the fourth round, with the 115th overall selection, and signed him to a contract with a $1.25 million signing bonus.
Melville began his professional career with the Burlington Bees of the Class A Midwest League in 2009, pitching to a 7–7 win–loss record and a 3.79 ERA. He was promoted to the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League in 2010, where he struggled, pitching to a 2–12 win–loss record and a 4.97 ERA. He returned to Wilmington in 2011, and compiled an 11–10 record with a 4.32 ERA. Melville required Tommy John surgery in 2012. In 2014, Melville pitched for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Class AA Texas League, but struggled with a 2–11 win–loss record, a 5.50 ERA, while allowing 68 walks in innings.
Detroit Tigers
After the 2014 season, when he became a free agent. He signed with the Detroit Tigers for the 2015 season, and played for the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class AAA International League.
Cincinnati Reds
He signed with the Cincinnati Reds for the 2016 season. The Reds considered adding Melville to their Opening Day starting rotation, but instead chose Robert Stephenson, who was already on the Reds' 40-man roster. Melville was assigned to the Louisville Bats of the International League.
On April 8, the Reds announced Melville would start in the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in place of Anthony DeSclafani, on April 10. The start marked Melville's MLB debut. He threw 4 innings giving up 1 run in a no-decision vs. Pittsburgh. The Reds designated Melville for assignment on April 22.
Long Island Ducks
On April 6, 2017, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Minnesota Twins
On June 12, 2017, the Minnesota Twins signed him to a minor league contract, assigning him to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. After allowing 5 runs (4 earned) to the Chicago White Sox, Melville was designated for assignment by the Twins to make room for John Curtiss on the roster on August 22.
San Diego Padres
On August 26, 2017, Melville was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. He made only two appearances for the Padres, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with three strikeouts. On November 6, Melville was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas. However, Melville rejected the assignment and subsequently elected free agency the following day.
Baltimore Orioles
On December 22, 2017, and signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization. He spent the entire season with the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, making 40 appearances and registering a 9–6 record and 5.33 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 4 saves across innings pitched. Melville elected free agency following the season on November 3, 2018.
Long Island Ducks (second stint) On February 5, 2019, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In two starts, he posted a strong 2–0 record and 0.75 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12.0 innings of work.