Mesoraco Confident He's Ready

[Tom Servo]

He's ready, brother.

[Old school 1983]

As hot as he is, they should try him third behind Votto

[PepperJack]

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/spor...-well/7842135/

That show of faith from the Reds' front office meant a lot to Mesoraco, who said this spring that he felt more at ease knowing regardless of what he did at the plate, the team was committed to him playing most every day.

Others noticed, as well.

"I've been waiting on him to get this everyday job, because when he gets his confidence and gets on a roll, you've seen it here the first however many games he's been back -- when he gets at-bats every day, he's going to put together good at-bats," said shortstop Zack Cozart, who the Reds took in the second round of the 2007 draft, after Mesoraco, Todd Frazier and right-hander Kyle Lotzkar (and before current teammates Neftali Soto and Curtis Partch). "I'm happy for him, he earned it."

Mesoraco said once games get going, he doesn't really feel the muscle -- and even then, it's not exactly pain that he feels.

"The only time I do notice it is swinging, and it's mostly if I have to reach for something, that's when I do feel it," Mesoraco said. "It's just different, it's not hurting, it's not pulled, it's just that I know it's there."

It's almost a reminder to lay off that pitch away, and also to not try to do too much. That matured approach is something at least one teammate has noticed.

"He understands that staying to the big part of the field and really taking what the pitcher gives him is something that's going to beneficial for him," said Jay Bruce. "It's not so much a feast-or-famine thing when you're cutting down the area of the field you use."

[Always Red]

Much as M2 recently said that BHam was his new favorite player, my new favorite is Mes.

He's looking SO confident at the plate, and attacking the ball with hard swings. The guy is so strong, and it seems as if his pitch recognition has improved drastically over last year. He's well on his way to breakout season.

Mes is my new favorite (well, along with Votto, Bruce, BP, Cueto...��)

[RedlegJake]

Always Red, I agree. Today he had some beautiful swings against the Cubs even when he didn;t connect. Tight, compact and really quick. He keeps that swing going and he'll be a tough out all year long.

When a guy misses and you think "Wow, what a pretty swing" - you know he's going good

[joshua]

I've always been vocal of doubting Mesoraco ever becoming the hitter many thought he'd be at the big league level...I love that he's proving me wrong one AB at a time. I'll glady eat crow.

[mth123]

I always liked Mes but have never been a believer in handing a guy a spot he hadn't earned (or deserved to lose) with his play. Mes was poor in 2012 and 2013 and didn't deserve to be handed a starting job IMO. Fortunately, he's stepping up and being the player we all hoped he would be after his AA season. It's a gamble that seems to be paying off. If it continues, I'm pretty happy that the Reds will have a third middle of the order bat to go with Votto and Bruce and might make carrying defensive specialists like Cozart and Hamilton doable.

[jojo]

It's small sample size theater obviously but Devin's first 10 games make it easy to dream on him becoming elite.

[Raisor]

I'm trying to get #rocco trending on twitter

[Captain Hook]

It's small sample size theater obviously but Devin's first 10 games make it easy to dream on him becoming elite.

10 games is very small sample size but I doubt there are too many bad hitters that can hit over .500 for even that short of a stretch. When you also take into account that Rocco was a top catching prospect and is now, at age 25 is getting his first shot playing everyday after a few years of mixed results along with some needed experience, you have to think there's a better than good chance that this streak is somewhat legit. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Reds probably have their starting catcher situation figured out for a long time.

[dougdirt]

10 games is very small sample size but I doubt there are too many bad hitters that can hit over .500 for even that short of a stretch. When you also take into account that Rocco was a top catching prospect and is now, at age 25 is getting his first shot playing everyday after a few years of mixed results along with some needed experience, you have to think there's a better than good chance that this streak is somewhat legit. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Reds probably have their starting catcher situation figured out for a long time.

It sounds like the front office had it figured out for a while, but the manager was getting in the way.

I continue to think that it is very telling that when Dusty went, Hanigan was moved rather quickly too.

[Superdude]

10 games is very small sample size but I doubt there are too many bad hitters that can hit over .500 for even that short of a stretch. When you also take into account that Rocco was a top catching prospect and is now, at age 25 is getting his first shot playing everyday after a few years of mixed results along with some needed experience, you have to think there's a better than good chance that this streak is somewhat legit. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Reds probably have their starting catcher situation figured out for a long time.

It's not even the average for me, but the swings he's getting. It reminds me of watching Bautista a few years ago when the other team winced every time he made contact. Even his ground balls are clobbered. I'm sure he's working into every team's radar by now so we'll see if they can find a hole, but I can't say I'd be shocked if Rocco finished up the year with some jaw dropping numbers.

[bigredmechanism]

I have a work buddy who just joined a fantasy league for the first time this year. He doesn't watch a ton of ball, and being from NJ had never heard of Mes. He asked my advice a couple of weeks ago and I told him to pick up Mesoraco when he gets off the DL.

He must think I am a baseball oracle at this point.

[CmdrCody]

Dusty was so messed up with his Hanigan for three days then Mes for two in 2012. It never allowed him to get into any comfort zone hitting. Mes has always squared up the ball pretty well especially his last two minor league seasons. Last year, Mes seemed to be hitting line drives right at somebody most of the time. He didn't strike out at the rate of Bruce or Frasier, but what he hit just seemed to be caught more often than others. This year the balls are falling in, but it's mainly because he's seeing the ball well and doing what he has the ability to do. He was a first round pick out of high school for a reason, and everyone seems to forget that.

[kaldaniels]

I know some have argued with the thought but I think the fact that Mesaraco is now "the man" is a load off his shoulders.

Secondly, he was put out on so many hard hit balls last year it was ridiculous (almost as ridiculous when posters ragged on him when he stung the ball right to an infielder). That was bound to even out at some point.