Considered a top prospect, Melián received a record signing bonus for a Latin American player from the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB) when he was 16 years old.
[4] Playing for the Tampa Yankees of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League in 1999, Melián batted .283 with six home runs, 61 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases.
[6] In July 2000, the Yankees traded Melián, Drew Henson, Ed Yarnall, and Brian Reith to the Cincinnati Reds for Denny Neagle and Mike Frank.
[11] He signed with the Yankees as a minor league free agent prior to the 2004 season, but was traded to the Atlanta Braves on June 24.
[2] His older brother, Jonathan, played in Minor League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners organization for three seasons.
[3] On August 27, 1998, Melián's parents were killed in a car accident while following their son's team bus in Hickory, North Carolina.