by David J. Chavez
Daily Lobo
Nate Melek is ready to prove he was worth the draft pick.
The Toronto Blue Jays selected Melek, a senior pitcher from UNM, in the 43rd round on the last day of the Major League Baseball draft on June 7.
Melek said he is filled with a lot of different emotions.
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"I always thought I had a good chance of getting drafted, but when that last day came around, I started to think I was going to have to go through the free agency route," he said. "I was excited, happy and relieved when I found out I had been drafted, and I wasn't going to have to sit around waiting for an opportunity."
Melek pitched for one year at UNM and made 16 appearances on the mound in the 2006 season. He started every time and pitched one complete game. Melek finished the season with 51 strikeouts, a 7.77 ERA and a 5-6 record.
In the Mountain West Conference, Melek ranked third in starts, second in hit batters, sixth in runners thrown out, ninth in walks and balls, seventh in innings pitched and eighth in sacrifice flies and losses.
Melek previously pitched for Oklahoma State, where he went 3-1 in 10 appearances and had a 2.96 ERA. He spent the next two years at Clarendon College, where he was a second team all-conference selection.
Melek said transferring to UNM was one of the best decisions he made for his baseball career.
"I came to UNM with the expectation of being able to play a lot, and the coaches gave me a good opportunity to show what I can do," he said. "The coaches were really helpful, and I credit UNM for helping me get drafted."
Melek said he's working out at a mini-camp in Florida where some of the nation's best baseball players are awaiting their fate. Melek said he will be shipped out this weekend to Auburn, N.Y., or Pulaski, Va., after coaches make their decision on his future with the team.
Melek said the competition is fierce, but he's ready to prove he can play professionally.
"There's a lot of great players competing, but I feel confident I can contribute to the Blue Jays," he said. "All I can do is get out there and do what I've always done on the mound."
