• 3164 S Country Club
    #8 Chandler, AZ 85210
Connect with Us
Connect with Us

For 25 years, we've been answering one question:

What does it actually take to develop elite baseball and softball players?

Not "good" players. Not "decent" players. Elite players, the kind who earn college scholarships, get drafted, and compete professionally.

Since 1998, AZ Clutch has been Arizona’s answer. Founded by professional player and MLB coach Rafael, our academy has become the most trusted name in player development across the East Valley, serving athletes from age 6 through college, and proving that elite training works at every stage.

The proof isn't in our promises.

Pro
Players

38

Pro Players

38

MLB
Draft Picks

27

MLB Draft Picks

27

Major
Leaguers

9

Major Leaguers

9

College
Commitments

500+

College Commitments

500+

Meet Rafael Melchione:
The Force Behind AZ Clutch

Professional Player. MLB Coach.
Elite Developer of Talent.
As a player Melchione played in Puerto Rico from 1997 to 2001 both in the summer and winter. He was invited to two Major League camps—the first in 1999 with the Oakland A’s and the second in 2001 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Melchione played in eight games in the Prairie League between Green Bay and Brandon Gray in 1996 and three more in Abilene in the Texas-Louisiana League in 1999. He makes his home in the Phoenix area and owns a training center in the area.

Playing Career:

Melchione played professionally from 1996 to 2003 as a catcher, right fielder, and relief pitcher. His playing career included time in independent leagues as well as within the minor league systems of the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels organizations. He was also invited to two Major League Baseball Spring Training camps during his career.

Coaching & Scouting Career:

Over 20 years coaching, scouting, and developing talent for MLB organizations including:
  • Los Angeles Angels
  • Chicago Cubs
  • San Francisco Giants

Professional Baseball:

  • 14 division championships
  • 4 title game appearances
  • 2 professional titles
  • Golden League All-Star Hitting Coach

Mentored By Legends:

Trained under MLB legends Reggie Smith and Jim Lefebvre, learning the systems and philosophies used by the world’s best coaches.

Player Development Results:

  • 38 professional players developed
  • 27 MLB draft picks
  • 9 Major Leaguers
  • Over 500 college athletes placed at programs nationwide

Rafael's Philosophy

 "Every athlete has potential. But potential means nothing without a plan, discipline, and coaching that meets them exactly where they are. That's what we do here—we find what's holding each player back, fix it, and build them into the athlete they're capable of becoming."

Meet the AZ Clutch
Coaching Staff

Elite results require elite coaching. Here’s the team behind Arizona’s best player development program:

Desi Wilson
Former Cubs Player, Hitting Coach

Desi Wilson is a former Major League Baseball player who also played professionally in Japan and later became a respected hitting coach within the Chicago Cubs organization. He specializes in building confident hitters through repeatable mechanics, approach, and pro-level development strategies.

Taylor “TC” Mark
Former Professional Player, Hitting / Pitching + Arm Care & GM

Taylor “TC” Mark is a former professional pitcher and high-performance coach specializing in hitting, pitching development, and arm care. His coaching is detailed and individualized, helping athletes improve mechanics, power, command, and durability.

Paco Rodriguez:
Former Dodger, Pitching / Arm Care

Paco Rodriguez is a former MLB pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who brings real big-league experience to athlete development. He specializes in pitching mechanics and arm care, helping players improve command, velocity, and long-term durability.

Edmond Americaan
Former Cubs Player, Hitting / Pitching + Arm Care & GM

Edmond Americaan is a former professional player in the Chicago Cubs organization and an elite development coach known for his hands-on, high-impact training style. He specializes in hitting, pitching, and arm care—helping athletes turn weaknesses into strengths with clear, actionable instruction.

Sergio Plasencia
Currently Seattle Mariners Infield Coach, Infield Coach

Sergio Plasencia is a professional infield coach in the Seattle Mariners organization with a strong background in player development. He specializes in infield fundamentals, footwork, glove work, throwing mechanics, and game-speed decision-making.

Gio Melchione
Current D1 Player, Hitting / Catching Coach

Gio Melchione is a current NCAA Division I player who brings modern high-level playing experience to training. He specializes in hitting and catching development, focusing on elite fundamentals, technique, and confidence behind the plate.

Tyler Bare
Current Pro Player, Pitching Coach

Tyler Bare is a pitching coach who specializes in velocity development, mechanics, command, and arm care. His structured coaching approach helps pitchers build consistency, confidence, and durable performance routines.

Most facilities say they offer "elite training." Here's what actually makes us different:

25 year Proven Track Record

We've been developing elite players since 1998. Our results speak louder than our marketing.

Individualized 1:1 Instruction

No group classes. No generic drills. Every athlete gets a personalized development plan built specifically for them.

Rapsodo & VR Technology

Advanced analytics and virtual reality training give athletes the data-driven feedback used by today's pros.

Coaching Staff with Real Experience

Our coaches have played, coached, and scouted at professional levels. They know what it takes because they've been there.

This is the difference between "getting better" and "getting recruited."

Ready to Join
Arizona's Elite
Training Program?

Your athlete deserves coaching that matches their commitment.
If you’re serious about player development (real, measurable improvement that shows up in games and gets noticed by recruiters) then it’s time to schedule an evaluation.

Schedule Your Player Evaluation and Training Session Today

 Call or Text Us Today:
(480) 343-0582

What Parents and Athletes Say

Watch Video Testimonials

Read More Testimonies

"My son trained at AZ Clutch for three years before committing to a D1 program. The transformation wasn't just physical—it was mental. Coach Rafael taught him how to think like a pro, prepare like a pro, and compete like a pro. We couldn't have done it without this program."

Parent of D1 Baseball Player

"We tried three different facilities before finding AZ Clutch. The difference was night and day. Instead of generic group drills, my daughter got 1:1 coaching that addressed her exact needs. She added 7 mph to her pitching velocity in six months and earned a starting role on her high school team."

Parent of High School Pitcher

"AZ Clutch doesn't just develop baseball skills—they develop athletes. My son's confidence, work ethic, and understanding of the game improved just as much as his swing. He's now playing college baseball at a program he never thought was possible."

Parent of College Baseball Commit

"As a player, training at AZ Clutch gave me the tools I needed to compete at the next level. The coaching staff pushed me, believed in me, and gave me a plan that actually worked. I'm now playing professionally, and it started here."

Professional Baseball Player, Former AZ Clutch Athlete

"What sets AZ Clutch apart is the personalized approach. They don't treat every kid the same. They identified my son's mechanical flaws, fixed them, and built a development plan around his strengths. The results showed up immediately in games."

Parent of Travel Ball Player

"AZ Clutch doesn't just develop baseball skills—they develop athletes. My son's confidence, work ethic, and understanding of the game improved just as much as his swing. He's now playing college baseball at a program he never thought was possible."

Parent of College Baseball Commit