Well, it was a small sample of course, but his caught stealing % dropped quite a bit in AAA. Down to 33%. 10 SB and 5 CS.
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If Mesoraco can OPS 810, he'd be a perennial All Star level catcher.
Sign me up for that.
An example that Reds fan may be able to relate better to: Matt Holliday has a .920 OPS, which is an 147 OPS+. Johnny Bench, one of, if not the, best hitting catchers of all-time, only had one season where he exceeded an 147 OPS+.
If Mesoraco can OPS 810, he'd be a perennial All Star level catcher.
Definitely. Joe Mauer's career OPS is about 890.
Question to those Reds' fans who are more knowledgable than me: Do we still think it's the best course of action to let Ramon/Hanigan be the catching tandem in the majors in 2011 and let Mesoraco get a full year in AAA with the hopes that he will be the main guy in 2012? What is the consensus with this? Thanks.
I think you come back next season with Hanigan/ and either Ramon or a free agent signing. Would love to have Ramon back, but not sure what kind of price it will take. With the injuries we have seen every year to catchers, I think you plan on getting Mes 1/3 to 2/3 of the season at AAA and if he is hitting and the Reds have the need your bring him up.
As much as I would love to see Mesoraco up with the Reds, I think a fair amount of time at AAA could be good in preparing him for the majors.
I would plan for Mes at AAA all of next year.
I believe the Reds have a fairly cheap option on Ramon for next year. I think they will (and should IMHO) pick up that option, let Mes play in AAA for at least half a season, then either move Ramon (if possible) or release him if Mes is clearly the better option at that point, or just wait until september and bring Mes up for hopefully the rest of his career.
+1Quote:
I believe the Reds have a fairly cheap option on Ramon for next year. I think they will (and should IMHO) pick up that option, let Mes play in AAA for at least half a season, then either move Ramon (if possible) or release him if Mes is clearly the better option at that point, or just wait until september and bring Mes up for hopefully the rest of his career.
It depends on the option, IMO, and what's available on the free agency front. I like Hernandez, but there's little chance he repeats this season next year. (He's one of two veterans that outplayed projections by a substantial margin, thereby turning an above average offense into a league-leading one.)
For me, if my scouts believe Mesoraco can approach an 800 OPS, he's a part-time starter (along with Hanigan).
If not, I'd first look to another old catcher, but one that can also play 1B-- Victor Martinez.
I'm sure he'd cost more, and I don't know if Boston is willing to pay him what he wants, especially considering they have Saltalamacchia (who was hurt this season and could be a cheaper option for a Sox team that may want to spend big for two or free premier guys) and may even want to go with injured prospect Mark Wagner (who may also be a guy to go after).
If Martinez sticks in Boston, the Reds could go to John Buck, Miguel Olivo, or even AJ Pierzynski, all of which are likely to either come close or outperform Hernandez's 2011 numbers for only a little more money that it costs to keep him.
Put me down for moving on from Ramon. I'm guessing Hernandez will be back because of his year, but I'd say he's a good bet to disappoint. The staff seems to struggle more often with him back there as welll. I'd still save the bucks for elsewhere and go with Corky for a couple months and then move Mes in when Super Two status is past. The staff will be better with Hanigan and MIller/Mes than it will with Hanigan and Ramon IMO and that will make-up for a reduction in offense for the first couple months. I'd say keeping Ramon around might lead to a reduction in offense as compared to 2010 anyway.
This is a couple weeks old but I'll post it anyway.
USA Today - Ten MLB prospects to keep an eye on for 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...rospects_N.htmQuote:
He is a solid defensive catcher as well, with a strong arm and quick release.
It's possible he will see significant time in the majors next season and could move into the top quarter of most top 100 prospect lists.