Melvin Dorta

**Melvin Dorta**

Pittsburgh Pirates — No. --
Shortstop
Born: January 15, 1982 (1982-01-15) (age 26)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
July 21, 2006 for the Washington Nationals
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Batting average	.211
Hits	4
Runs batted in	0
Teams
Washington Nationals (2006)

Melvin A. Dorta (born January 15, 1982 in Valencia, Venezuela) is an utilityman who plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Dorta bats and throws right-handed. He made his major league debut with the Nationals on July 21, 2006.

Dorta, who has played every position in the field except pitcher, was acquired by Washington from the Boston Red Sox on January 5, 2004.

In 2005 Dorta established career highs with 11 home runs, 50 runs batted in and 121 games played for Double-A Harrisburg Senators. In 2006, he was selected for the Eastern League All-star game and was promoted to Washington. At the time of his promotion he was batting .277 with 15 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 24 RBI in 85 games. He left Harrisburg ranking fourth in the league with an organization-best and a career-high 25 stolen bases. Dorta rejoined the Senators after two games with Washington, where he was 0-for-1 as a pinch-hitter and was caught stealing as a pinch-runner.