High-flying Oriole
With season canceled, Avon’s Cam Melvin prepares for college baseball
By Mike Beas
The next phases of Cam Melvin’s baseball career promise to be the ultimate road test.
Avon’s senior center fielder, a Class 4A All-State selection last season according to the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association, will play at New Mexico Junior College, located 1,200 miles from Hendricks County.
Avon’s Cam Melvin will miss his senior season, but he plans for his baseball career to continue at New Mexico Junior College. (Photo by Eric Pritchett)
As a junior, Melvin led the Orioles in most offensive categories, including batting average (.355), doubles (14) and home runs (4). Melvin’s 10 steals were also best on the team, as were his 28 runs.
“That’s kind of the beauty of his game. He can hit for power and has speed,” said Avon coach Troy Drosche. “And in the field he can go get a ball with the best of them. Cam is just an all-around player. He’s probably one of the most talented players to put on an Avon uniform.”
Last season, the Orioles advanced to the Mooresville semistate, losing 10-3 to Columbus East. The return of six starters and two of the top four pitchers had Drosche excited for this spring, but the season was canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Melvin took part in a Q&A with the ICON:
Q: You’ve committed to play at New Mexico Junior College. What can you tell me about its baseball program and what attracted you there?
A: I got a text in late August from their recruiting guy, and they flew me out in September. They’ve sent a lot of guys to some bigtime college baseball programs. That was definitely a big part of it, but the campus was very nice, too.
Q: Hobbs, N.M., is a long way from family and friends. How do you feel stepping away from your comfort zone will most benefit you?
A: Just getting to know other people. It’s going to be hard at first, but I’m going to have to leave sometime. Just playing in the best junior college conference in the country is worth going that far from home. I’ll get used to it and will get through it, for sure.
Q: With your final high school season canceled, what are you doing to stay in shape for playing at the collegiate level?
A: I’m going out every day with my brother Carsen throwing and doing sprint work, lifting weights if I can. I want to go there and be in shape. I want to go and compete for a starting spot right away. With my high school season cancelled, I have to look at the bigger goal and just be ready.
Q: This had the makings of a special season for Avon baseball. How are you and the other seniors on the team handling it?
A: It was tough at first, I’m not going to lie, but I think we’re getting there. I know we miss going out there and seeing the coaches every day and playing for the Avon community. We’re all pretty close, which I think makes it better in the larger scheme of things.
