Melancon consistent with daily routine
SAN DIEGO 鈥� Mark Melancon is as consistent as any closer in the major leagues and the answer why isn鈥檛 surprising.
鈥淚 try to be as consistent as possibly with my routine every single day of the season,鈥� the Pirates right-hander Monday during All-Star Game media day at the San Diego Manchester Hyatt.
鈥淚鈥檓 pretty much a type-A personality so I like to have things a certain way. It just makes feel more comfortable going to the mound knowing that I鈥檝e done everything I can from a mental and a physical standpoint to prepare for the game that day.鈥�
The Pirates acquired Melancon on Dec. 26, 2012, from the Boston Red Sox in a trade and he has gone on to become one of the best relief pitchers in franchise history.
His 127 saves rank fourth on the Pirates鈥� all-time list behind Kent Tekulve (154), Mike Williams (140) and Dave Giusti (133). Furthermore, Melancon鈥檚 1.76 ERA since the start of the 2013 season is tops among all major league relievers with at least 100 innings pitched in that span.
Yet the most impressive stat of all is that Melancon has converted 101-of-108 save opportunities since the beginning of 2014, his first full season as a closer. The 93.5 percent success rate is the best in the big leagues.
鈥淵ou always feel good when he comes in the game,鈥� Pirates left fielder Starling Marte said. 鈥淲e know we鈥檙e going to win.鈥�
No closer is ever automatic, but Melancon has been this year as he has been successful on 27-of-28 save chances while posting a 1.23 ERA in 40 innings. His career best for ERA is 1.39 in 2013.
Melancon has been rewarded with his third All-Star Game berth in fourth years and second in as many seasons.
鈥淚 actually appreciate being here more each time,鈥� said Melancon who will be part of the National League bullpen for Tuesday night鈥檚 Midsummer Classic at Petco Park. 鈥淵ou know better what to expect and it makes it easier to appreciate just being part of whole atmosphere.鈥�
While most closers try to blow away hitters with blazing fastballs that approach triple digits, Melancon鈥檚 heater is averaging just 91.7 mph this season. He has thrown it just eight percent of the time.
Instead, he has perfected a cut fastball, which resembles a slider but has a smaller and later break. In 2016, Melancon has used the cutter on exactly two-thirds of his pitches.
鈥淚t can be almost impossible to hit,鈥� St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter said. 鈥淵ou see it coming and then it just disappears right before it gets to the plate.鈥�
The low-key Melancon never brags himself. However, he does admit to a sense of satisfaction at being a three-time All-Star in an era where so many pitchers are judged by how well they light up radar guns.
鈥淚t makes me feel good that I can do the job without throwing 100 mph,鈥� Melancon said. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 blessed with that kind of arm, but it鈥檚 nice to show there are other ways to be successful.鈥�
That鈥檚 about as far as Melancon will ever go in promoting himself. He shows almost no emotion when he nails down a save and that鈥檚 by design.
鈥淚 was taught from a very young age to respect the game,鈥� Melancon said. 鈥淚 have had my ups in my career but I also have had my downs, which humbled me. I never wanted somebody showing me up when I was struggling, so I don鈥檛 want to show anybody else up.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like my mother always tells me 鈥� there are 150 million living in China who have no idea that you are a major league pitcher.鈥�
Melancon then smiled.
鈥淭hat always keeps things in perspective,鈥� he said.