Melvin Pizzaro

Melvin Ilan Pizzaro

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.

• Born March 16, 1978 in San Juan Puerto Rico

BR Register page

Melvin Pizzaro spent over a decade in the minor leagues in a very choppy career.

Pizzaro debuted in 1995 with the Martinsville Phillies as a teenager, posting a 6.23 ERA in 10 appearances. In 1996, he went 7-6 with a 3.02 ERA for the DSL Phillies. He also spent 1997 in the Dominican Summer League. In 1998, the southpaw returned to the US with the Batavia Muckdogs but surrendered 21 hits, 21 walks and 30 runs in only 14 2/3 IP. He was on the restricted list in 1999 and did not pitch in 2000.

In 2001, Melvin returned to the diamond with the Lehigh Valley Black Diamonds, where he lost all 10 of his decisions. He walked 59 in 84 1/3 innings and had an ERA of 5.66. He had a 5-5, 5.75 record for the 2002 Yuma Bullfrogs. In 2003, Pizzaro was 1-4 with a 7.97 ERA for the Pennsylvania Road Warriors.

For some reason, this track record interested the Seattle Mariners, who signed Pizzaro. He spent 2004 with the Inland Empire 66ers, going 4-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 41 outings. In 2005, the left-handed Puerto Rican bounced around, pitching for the San Antonio Missions (2-1, 2.57 in 4 G), Tacoma Rainiers (1 R, 3 BB in 1 2/3 IP), Yucatan Lions (1-1, 2.57 in 12 G) and Newark Bears (9 R in 5 IP). He concluded his busy year pitching for Puerto Rico in the 2005 Baseball World Cup, allowing 8 runs but striking out 8 in 7 1/3 IP while leading the team with 6 appearances on the hill. He got the save against Nicaragua.

Pizzaro pitched in 2006 for the Long Island Ducks (6 R in 4 IP) and the Road Warriors (4-9, 10 Sv, 3.98 in 50 G). He was back with Puerto Rico for the 2008 Americas Baseball Cup, allowing 3 runs in 4 1/3 IP.