Former Second-Rounder Melotakis Signed

CLEBURNE, Texas (March 31, 2021) – The Cleburne Railroaders announced Wednesday the signing of left-handed pitcher Mason Melotakis. 

Melotakis (pronounced melo-TACK-iss) brings six seasons of professional experience to Cleburne, having pitched at the Triple-A level for parts of two campaigns. A native of Grapevine, Texas, Melotakis was drafted by the Twins in the second round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Northwestern State. The left-hander dominated at two minor league levels after signing, posting a combined 1.88 ERA between Rookie-level Elizabethton and Class-A Beloit. In 2013, the Twins converted Melotakis to the starting rotation, and he responded with an 11-4 record and 3.16 ERA in 18 starts.

The following season, Melotakis moved back to the bullpen for good and earned a pair of promotions along the way. He compiled a 3.45 ERA for High-A Fort Myers, then posted a sparkling 2.25 ERA for Double-A New Britain.

Tommy John surgery deprived Melotakis of his 2015 season, but the talented southpaw picked up right where he left off with a stellar 2016 campaign. Pitching in 36 games for Double-A Chattanooga, Melotakis fashioned a 2.97 ERA with 42 strikeouts and only 12 walks in 33.1 innings. He was selected as a Southern League Mid-Season All-Star for his efforts. The 29-year-old then added a strong stint in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, allowing only two runs in 11 innings while issuing just one walk.

After continuing to carve up Double-A hitters to the tune of a 2.42 ERA the following year, Melotakis earned his first promotion to Triple-A Rochester for 21 relief appearances. The Twins assigned him to Rochester once again to start 2018, but released Melotakis despite posting a 3.07 ERA in eight games. The Rockies signed the 6’2, 220-pounder as a minor league free agent on May 17, 2018, but after 16 games and two separate stints on the disabled list, Melotakis elected free agency.

Melotakis was selected by the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the seventh round of the 2020 American Association dispersal draft, but did not play.

For his career, the southpaw is 28-12 with a 3.43 ERA in 195 games, 175 of which have come out of the bullpen. In 322.1 innings, Melotakis owns 307 strikeouts to only 122 walks, having allowed 317 hits. He has 11 career saves.

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.