Tim Melville

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.[4]

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.[5] 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 129+1⁄3 innings.[6]

After the 2014 season, when he became a free agent. He signed with the Detroit Tigers for the 2015 season,[7] and played for the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class AAA International League.[6]

He signed with the Cincinnati Reds for the 2016 season.[2] 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.[8] Melville was assigned to the Louisville Bats of the International League.[9]

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.[10] He threw 4 innings giving up 1 run in a no-decision vs. Pittsburgh. The Reds designated Melville for assignment on April 22.

On April 6, 2017, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

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.[11]

On August 26, 2017, Melville was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.[12] 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.[13] However, Melville rejected the assignment and subsequently elected free agency the following day.

On December 22, 2017, and signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.[14] 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 104+2⁄3 innings pitched.[15] Melville elected free agency following the season on November 3, 2018.

On February 5, 2019, Melville signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[16] In two starts, he posted a strong 2–0 record and 0.75 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12.0 innings of work.

On May 3, 2019, Melville's contract was purchased by the Colorado Rockies, and he was assigned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.[17] On August 21, the Rockies selected Melville's contract and promoted him to the major leagues as an emergency starter.[18] In his Rockies debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Melville pitched 7 innings and allowed only 1 run on 2 hits as the Rockies won 7-2, giving Melville his first major league win. 5 days later, Melville made his debut at Coors Field and had another impressive performance against the Atlanta Braves, pitching 5 shutout innings and striking out 6 as the Rockies went on to defeat the Braves 3-1. Melville's ERA of 0.75 is the 3rd lowest ERA posted by a Rockies pitcher through his first two starts with the club. On October 30, Melville was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Albuquerque.[19]

Melville re-signed with the Rockies on a minor league contract on February 5, 2020. He did not play in a game for the organization in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] Melville was released by the Rockies organization on May 18.

On July 12, 2020, Melville signed with the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[21] He re-signed with the team for the 2021 season.[22] On April 2, 2021, Melville pitched a no-hitter against Wei Chuan Dragons becoming the 10th player to do so in Chinese Professional Baseball League history. He also set the record of most pitches thrown in a no-hitter in the league, with 142 pitches.[23] For the season, Melville posted a 8–7 record with a 3.74 ERA and 84 strikeouts over 122.2 innings. He was not re-signed for the 2022 season and became a free agent.

Melville took the 2022 season off as he dealt with elbow inflammation. He received platelet-rich plasma treatment for the injury. On February 8, 2023, Melville signed with the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[24] Pitching in 3 games, he registered a 9.24 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 12.2 innings of work. On May 27, it was announced that Melville would miss 3-4 months after suffering injuries in his right elbow and tendon, and he was subsequently released by the team.[25]