Nicklas Melin

Nicklas Melin

• Bats Left, Throws Right

• Born March 12, 1988

Biographical Information

Nicklas Melin has played for the Swedish national team and in Hoofdklasse.

Melin joined the Elitserien's Sundbyberg Heat in 2003, hitting .143 at age 15. In 2004, he batted .285. After being used exclusively as a pitcher in 2005, he hit .338 in 2006 and .317 in 2007. He allowed one run in two innings in the 2005 European Championship. He was awful in the 2005 Baseball World Cup, giving up 9 hits, 4 walks and 6 runs in just two innings. From 2004-2007, he was 18-6 on the mound. In 2007, as he joined Leksand Lumberjacks, he was 6-2 with 111 strikeouts in 88 innings and a 2.86 ERA; he was 4th in Elitserien in ERA and led in lowest opponent average (.185). Melin played catcher, pitcher, first base, third base, left field, right field and DH in his first five seasons.

Melin pitched for Sweden in the 2007 European Championship, going 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA. He allowed one run and two hits while fanning two in a relief inning against Germany, then got the win in a strong start against the Czech national team (1 R, 5 H in 8 IP). He was less effective in a loss to Bronze Medal winner Spain, allowing 7 runs and 8 hits in 5 2/3 innings, walking five and throwing two wild pitches.

Melin signed with the MediaMonks RCH for 2008. He debuted in Hoofdklasse on May 4, walking 3 in 1 1/3 innings but avoiding being charged with any runs.

Primary source: Marco Stoovelaar's Dutch baseball site