Melancon, Refsnyder to Compete in 2015 MLB Postseason
10/06/2015 | Baseball
TUCSON, Ariz.--- Two former Wildcat greats will take part in this year's Major League Baseball postseason, as Robert Refsnyder will play for the New York Yankees and Mark Melancon will be a part of the Pittsburgh Pirates' 25-man playoff roster. The Yankees begin their postseason journey against the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Game, Tuesday at 5 pm PT on ESPN, while the Pirates will take on the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday at 5 pm PT on TBS in the National League Wild Card Game.
Melancon is now in his seventh season in the majors, compiling an overall record of 19-16 with a career ERA of 2.78, 342 total strikeouts, 121 saves, and a WHIP of 1.062. He's currently experiencing one of the best seasons of his professional career, as he was named a National League All-Star for the second time in three years, while he sports a 2.23 ERA and leads all of baseball with 51 saves.
From 2004-06, Melancon helped lead the Wildcats to two postseason appearances, including a berth in the 2004 College World Series. He ranks seventh in program history in games pitched (77) and second in career saves (18), while he was also named to the All Pac-10 First Team in 2004 and 2005.
Refsnyder made his MLB debut for the Yankees on July 11, 2015 and has put together a spectacular rookie campaign thus far, batting .302, collecting 13 hits, including three extra-base knocks, two home runs, five RBI, and two stolen bases to go along with three runs scored in just 47 plate appearances for the Yankees this season. He collected his first Major League hit and home run in just his second game with New York, while both of his career dingers have come against the rival Boston Red Sox.
From 2010-12, Refsnyder starred as an outfielder – and briefly as an infielder – while helping Arizona to three-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. He batted .343 over 182 career games that included 180 starts in the outfield, at third base, second base or designated hitter. A two-time Pac-12 All-Conference honoree, Refsnyder batted .364 and drove in 66 runs as a junior, earning two All-American honors in 2012. He was also named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player that season as he helped Arizona capture the program's fourth CWS title.
The Yankees selected Refsnyder as a second baseman with the 187th overall selection in the fifth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
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