Well, it would seem to mean that unless they trade those guys (Frazier, Francisco, Soto), they've pretty much wasted their top prospects. Just doesn't seem very efficient.
Well, it would seem to mean that unless they trade those guys (Frazier, Francisco, Soto), they've pretty much wasted their top prospects. Just doesn't seem very efficient.
I think Soto as a catcher is worth the risk. It certainly would be a bold move and might light a fire under the Reds current catching "prospects".
Dubito Ergo Cogito Ergo Sum.
Why not try him in leftfield? Although I think the Reds should be patient with him at 3B for another 50 games next year before changing his position.
I'm saying Mes is irrelevant to the discussion. If Soto is converted, you keep him at High A. Mes will be in AA more than likely. If Soto can handle the position, great. If both do well, even better.
Mes was a HS pick. I can wait on HS position players. He isn't a bust yet, and time is actually on his side. ESPECIALLY in this organization.
Dubito Ergo Cogito Ergo Sum.
But with Hanigan being the only legit catching option we have, I'd argue that we need Mesoraco to be ready sooner than later, and he doesn't have time on his side.
Should prove interesting to see if and how Soto pans out as a catcher.
Todd Frazier doesn't have a position, can he catch?
He absolutely has time on his side. I'm thinking he doesn't even need to be protected for another three years. He's what... 20? He's got time. He'll either pan out or he won't it's not like he's 23 and at A ball. The Reds needs in this case aren't as important as him developing period. Someone will catch. Hanigan, Denove, Tatum, whoever.
I wish the Reds and fans would stop looking at "windows" in terms of being successful. The Twins don't look at windows, they just look at wins.
Dubito Ergo Cogito Ergo Sum.
Mesoraco isn't going to be ready in a couple years. He's a long-term project who may pan out. There's absolutely no need to rush him at all. No, the Reds are going to have to either draft a ready-made catcher or sign one and hope.
Fair enough.
The premise of my argument stems from the Reds drafting Mesoraco out of need.
If they really did draft him out of need, then they need him sooner than later.
If they didn't draft him out of need, then let him find himself in the minors, since he is in fact very young.
I think C was an organizational need, not just a MLB need, hence the pick. He may have been a reach, but he's still young enough to be a top ten Reds prospect in a year or two. 2010, if he is at AA will be kinda telling. Not the whole stry kind of telling, but we'll get a better picture.
Dubito Ergo Cogito Ergo Sum.
I think Mesoraco is being a bit underrated around here. His defense, is good right now. He is throwing out runners at a high rate, lowered his passed balls and got good reports from everyone this year. Offensively, he hit for more power than anyone not named Alonso in Sarasota, had a 10% walk rate and a 22% strikeout rate. Project those things out, they are going to look good when BABIP works itself out.
I think he'll be trade bait if he puts up good numbers this year.
When the Baseball America Reds top 30 prospects list comes out, Mesoraco will be listed at number 30.
I do not feel that Mesoraco was drafted based on need at catcher. There were several teams that had Mesoraco graded at the point he was taken in the first round. Several scouts have told me that if the Reds had not taken Mesoraco, he would have been taken by someone else within the next few picks.
Actually, I don't think you would see a high school player drafted because of a positional need anytime really. Some may disagree with that.
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