Adam Melhuse


Adam Michael Melhuse is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers. He is currently a minor league coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers system.

High school, college years

Melhuse attended Lincoln High School in Stockton, California and was a student and a letterman in basketball and baseball. He played college baseball as a UCLA Bruin. In 1991, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and returned to the league in 1992 to play for the Brewster Whitecaps.

Major League Baseball career

Previously, Melhuse played with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, and Texas Rangers. He throws right-handed and is a switch-hitter.

Colorado Rockies

Melhuse collected his first career hit on August 24,, in the 12th inning of an unusual game between the Rockies and Atlanta Braves. Out of pitchers, Rockies manager, Buddy Bell, asked injured catcher, Brent Mayne, who was unable to swing a bat due to a sprained left wrist, if he could pitch. Mayne pitched the 12th inning and held the Braves scoreless. The following inning, with two outs and the bases loaded, Melhuse, pinch hitting for Mayne, singled over the shortstop's head to win the game.

Oakland Athletics

On January 5, 2007 Melhuse signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics.

Texas Rangers

On June 9,, Melhuse was traded by the Athletics to the Texas Rangers for cash.
Adam's career as a Texas Ranger was short-lived. The Rangers traded for Jarrod Saltalamacchia on July 31, 2007, which lessened Melhuse's playing time. Melhuse was designated for assignment on August 23, 2007, and would later be released.

Oakland Athletics again

He re-signed with the Athletics for his second stint in 2007 on September 1 when rosters were expanded. Despite being on the Athletics for a second go-around in September, Melhuse sat on the bench the whole time and did not get into a game. He declared free agency on October 8, 2007, though not before being outrighted to the minors on October 5.

Texas Rangers again

on January 11, Melhuse signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Texas Rangers. He made the team out of spring training as a backup to starting catcher Gerald Laird, but injured his hand in a game against the Detroit Tigers on April 24, resulting in his release.

Colorado Rockies again

In late June 2008, Melhuse signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies and was called up on August 14, 2008. On August 30, 2008, Melhuse was called up to the Rockies from the Triple-A Sky Sox to replace Yorvit Torrealba who was placed on the DL.

Texas Rangers again

Melhuse signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers in January. However, he was released on April 4.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On May 8, 2009, he signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Retirement

On June 17, 2009 Melhuse announced his retirement.

Post-playing career

Melhuse spent four seasons as an advance scout for the Chicago Cubs and two seasons in the Los Angeles Angels system as manager of the Burlington Bees. In 2018, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers organization as hitting coach for the Oklahoma City Dodgers. He was transferred to the Tulsa Drillers for 2019.