17 year old could be key to Laird trade

When Texas dealt catcher Gerald Laird to the Detroit Tigers during the Winter Meetings most reported that 25 year old pitcher Guillermo Moscoso was the centerpiece of the trade for the Rangers. Afterall, Moscoso has very good command (122 strikeouts, only 22 walks in 2008) and seemed close to being Major League ready. And with a low-90's fastball and a passable breaking ball, it was thought that Moscoso could make the trip to Arlington as a middle reliever. While all this remains a possibility, another name from the Gerald Laird trade is beginning to get a lot of attention.



Carlos Melo came to the Texas organization as the 'other pitcher' in the Laird trade but has done nothing but impress since his arrival. Only 17 years old, Melo is a 6'3", 180 lb. kid with a whip of an arm and amazing control for someone his age. Possessing a live fastball that gets into the mid-90's, Melo looks to potentially be a diamond in the rough. While nowhere near ready to face Major League hitting night in and night out, Melo showed very good composure throughout Spring Training, giving the club high hopes that he'll continue to improve as he matures. It is also assumed that with a few more years of professional baseball, Melo's frame will begin to fill out, allowing him to survive the hot Texas summers every 5th day. Though he is several years away from being able to be seriously considered a viable pitching option in Arlington, Carlos Melo has gone from the 'other pitcher' to one of Texas' prime young prospects.