Jackson Melián
Encyclopedia
Jackson Melián is a former minor league baseball
outfielder
who reached Triple-A.
, was signed as an international free agent by the New York Yankees
in 1996, receiving a $1.6 million bonus.
Melián was considered a top prospect. He was rated by Baseball America
as a Top 100 prospect four times: in 1997 (#40), 1998 (#98), 1999 (#72) and 2000 (#72). Melián was selected to play in the 2000 All-Star Futures Game
.
In 2000, Melián was traded by the Yankees with Drew Henson
, Ed Yarnall
and Brian Reith
to the Cincinnati Reds
for Denny Neagle
and Mike Frank
. Prior to the 2002 season, he was claimed on waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers
from the Reds. On June 9, 2002, he was traded by the Brewers to the Chicago Cubs
for Robert Machado
. He signed with the Yankees as a minor league free gent prior to the 2004 season, but was traded to the Atlanta Braves
on June 24. He signed as a minor league free agent with the Detroit Tigers
prior to the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
and lifelong fan of the Yankees. He named Melián after Reggie Jackson
.
Melián considered pursuing an Olympic
swimming
career, instead opting to play baseball.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who reached Triple-A.
Career
Melián, represented by Scott BorasScott Boras
Scott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
, was signed as an international free agent by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in 1996, receiving a $1.6 million bonus.
Melián was considered a top prospect. He was rated by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
as a Top 100 prospect four times: in 1997 (#40), 1998 (#98), 1999 (#72) and 2000 (#72). Melián was selected to play in the 2000 All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
.
In 2000, Melián was traded by the Yankees with Drew Henson
Drew Henson
Drew Daniel Henson is a retired Major League Baseball third baseman and National Football League quarterback. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
, Ed Yarnall
Ed Yarnall
Harvey Edward Yarnall is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Yarnall was drafted by the New York Mets in the third round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft. In 1998, he was traded with Geoff Goetz and Preston Wilson to the Florida Marlins for Mike Piazza...
and Brian Reith
Brian Reith
Brian Eric Reith is a professional baseball pitcher who is presently a free agent. He has played parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds, and one season in the Chinese Professional Baseball LeagueHe was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 6th round of the 1996...
to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Denny Neagle
Denny Neagle
Dennis Edward Neagle Jr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was last under contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the season, but he did not play due to injury...
and Mike Frank
Mike Frank
Stephen Michael Frank is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.Frank attended Escondido High School and Santa Clara University. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 7th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft.Frank made his major league debut in 1998...
. Prior to the 2002 season, he was claimed on waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
from the Reds. On June 9, 2002, he was traded by the Brewers to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Robert Machado
Robert Machado
Robert Alexis Machado [ma-CHAH-do] is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played most recently with the Texas Rangers organization. Previously, Machado played for the Chicago White Sox , Montreal Expos , Seattle Mariners , Chicago Cubs , Milwaukee Brewers , and Baltimore Orioles...
. He signed with the Yankees as a minor league free gent prior to the 2004 season, but was traded to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
on June 24. He signed as a minor league free agent with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
prior to the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
Personal
Melián's father, Vincent Melián, was a long-time scout for the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and lifelong fan of the Yankees. He named Melián after Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
.
Melián considered pursuing an Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
career, instead opting to play baseball.