Brett Shweky // Staff Writer
The baseball team looks to begin a new chapter, as the team turns the page on its 29-29 record from the 2015-2016 season.
Back in June 2016, the University announced Mervyl Melendez as the team’s new head coach, and he feels FIU is the place to be.
“FIU is the right fit for my family and myself,” he said. “There is a rich tradition of baseball at Florida International and also in the South Florida area.”
Coach Melendez has spent 17 years as a head coach, having spent the past five seasons with the Alabama State University Hornets. With the Hornets, he compiled over 158 wins, lead the team to three-straight Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division titles, and was able to attend the NCAA tournament after winning the SWAC tournament in 2016.
Prior to Alabama State, Melendez spent 12 seasons as Bethune-Cookman University’s head coach. Under Melendez, the Wildcats were able to win 11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships.
Melendez was also named one of Baseball American’s Top-10 Head coaches under the Age of 40. And in 2009, he became the second-youngest head coach in NCAA division baseball history to achieve 300 career wins.
During his coaching tenure, Melendez has had more than 30 of his players go on to play professional baseball.
This includes Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Hiram Burgos and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Peter O’Brien.
“Getting players better is something my staff and I take extreme pride in,” said the head coach. “My philosophy is player development. Development of our players does not take a back seat over winning.”
The Panthers had their first practice with Melendez on Jan. 27, and he said, the team still needs improvement in some areas.
“We still have a couple things that we need to work on before the season begins,” said Melendez. “The players have worked all off-season on sharpening their skills; however, team chemistry and how to play with one another is something we are still working on.”
The Panthers will kickoff the season at home against the Jacksonville State Univervisty Gamecocks on Feb. 17 at 7 pm. at the Baseball Stadium.
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