Meloan was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth round (166th overall) of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He made his professional debut for the Rookie-level Ogden Raptors,going 0–2 with a 3.69 ERA in 16 appearances (six starts).[4] Primarily a starter in college,Meloan was converted to a relief pitcher at Ogden. His maximum-effort delivery and his 92–94mph fastball with a pair of strikeout breaking balls led to his consideration as a closer.
In 2006,Meloan saw action with the Single-A Columbus Catfish,Single-A Vero Beach Dodgers and Double-A Jacksonville Suns. He posted a 3–1 record,one save and a 1.90 ERA in 21 games (one start) combined between the three teams.[4] For the 2007 season,Meloan began the year with Double-A Jacksonville,compiling a 5–2 record with a terrific 2.18 ERA in 35 relief appearances and notching 19 saves to be selected to the Southern League All-Star team.[4] He won the post-season "Double-A Relief Pitcher of the Year" Award.[5][6] After the all-star break,he was promoted to the Triple-ALas Vegas 51s,where he went 2–0 with one save and a 1.69 ERA in 14 appearances.[4]
Meloan was recalled to the Dodgers when the active rosters expanded on September 1,2007.[7] He made his Major League debut for the Dodgers that night against the San Diego Padres,working two innings of relief.[8] He wound up pitching in five games for the Dodgers after his September call-up,working 7+1⁄3 innings and finishing with an 11.05 ERA.[9]
Prior to the 2008 season, Meloan was ranked as the Dodgers' eighth-best prospect by Baseball America.[10] He began the season with Triple-A Las Vegas, and worked out of the starting rotation, going 5–10 with a 4.97 ERA in 21 games (20 starts).[4]
Cleveland Indians
On July 26, 2008, Meloan was traded to the Cleveland Indians along with minor league catcherCarlos Santana for infielderCasey Blake.[10] He was sent to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, where he was converted back to a relief role. He went 0–1 with a 4.30 ERA in 12 relief appearances.[4] On September 2, Meloan was recalled from Buffalo.[11] He was not expected to appear much due to his heavy workload that year,[11] and only made two appearances in September, tossing two scoreless innings.[9]
In 2009, Meloan had pitched 44 innings in Triple-A for the Columbus Clippers, recording a 5.52 ERA in 25 appearances before being traded on July 2, 2009.[4]
Meloan was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 12, 2009.[9] On August 31, 2009, he was again designated for assignment.[14]
Oakland Athletics
On September 2, 2009, Meloan was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.[15] He was recalled on September 19, after pitching for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats in the postseason.[16] Meloan made six relief appearances with Oakland to close out the season, allowing one unearned run in 8+1⁄3 innings while striking out 11 batters.[9]
Meloan missed the entire 2010 season due to Tommy Johnsurgery. After the season, he was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on October 30.[17] The Athletics released Meloan in October 2011.[9]
Remainder of career
Meloan agreed to sign with the Texas Rangers on March 3, 2012,[18] but the Rangers released Meloan on March 31, before he could play a game in the organization.[9]
Meloan started the 2012 season with the independent Long Island Ducks, going 4–0 with 11 saves and an ERA of 0.99 in 23 relief appearances.[4] The New York Yankees signed Meloan in June 2012.[19] He then returned to the Long Island Ducks in 2014.[4]
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