NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State junior pitcher Mason Melotakis has been named the top Major League Baseball Draft prospect in the Southland Conference by Baseball America.
 
Melotakis, a left-handed flame-thrower from Grapevine, Texas, topped a listing of five conference players named by the national publication that included LHP Jonathan Dziedzic of Lamar, 1B Casey Kalenkosky of Texas State, OF Preston Beck of Texas-Arlington, and RHP Stefan Lopez of Southeastern Louisiana.  He was also named the conference's preseason Pitcher of the Year while the Demons were tabbed for a sixth place finish in the magazine's preseason poll.
 
With a blazing fastball that's been clocked 92-96 mph, Melotakis posted five saves last season, a 3.98 ERA and struck out 45 batters with 18 walks over 24 appearances.  His best game came in a win at LSU last April when he struck out 10 Tiger batters in four innings while holding the lineup hitless.
 
In addition to his recognition in Baseball America, the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder was recognized by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper as one of the top pitching prospects in the nation.
 
Melotakis and the rest of the Demons will open the season next Friday against Jacksonville State in a three-game weekend series at Brown-Stroud Field.