Mark Melancon hasn’t had a pretty start to the season. Heading into Friday night’s action, Melancon has a 6.75 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over four innings pitched. On the positive side, he has three strikeouts and just one walk. And all three earned runs Melancon’s given up this year were in one bad inning. Heck, it’s a small sample size. But you don’t want your closer giving up runs. It’s still early. What is of concern with Melancon, however, is his apparent drop in velocity.
Travis Sawchik, Pittsburgh Pirates beat writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, had an article recently about Melancon’s drop in velocity this season (the article can be seen here).