Thursday, July 8, 2010 Minor League Updates

[GIDP]

Ive been saying half heartedly Mes could be one of the best catchers in the minors after this year, I'm starting to think that has a very strong chance of happening.

[membengal]

When's the last time the Reds had a 22-year-old catcher who turned in a .900+ OPS between A and AA?

I am asking in all seriousness.

Running my mind over the "prospects" that the Reds have developed in-house since Bench, not coming up with many candidates...

[GIDP]

Mesoracos OPS is now .923 in AA.

[mdccclxix]

Doug, this season for Mez reminds me of Bruce climbing fast in 2006 or 2007. Any shot Mez goes to AAA with an injury opening?

[GIDP]

When's the last time the Reds had a 22-year-old catcher who turned in a .900+ OPS between A and AA?

I am asking in all seriousness.

Running my mind over the "prospects" that the Reds have developed in-house since Bench, not coming up with many candidates...

Gonna be hard to look that up probably.

Danny Lamar was a first round pick that had 1 year of .859 OPS in 1982...

[GIDP]

Pretty sure Mesoraco is now one of the top 3 hitters in the southern league.

[membengal]

Quick glance through the minor-league section of baseball reference.com rules out Joe Oliver.

LaRue OPS'd 1.046 as a 24-year-old in AA. That may be the closest to my question.

Dan Wilson was a .650 OPS in AA as a 22-year-old.

Any other in-house catching prospects since Bench that I am forgetting?

[GIDP]

I cant find one going back to the 70s at least from picks taken in the first 2 rounds.

[Benihana]

Quick glance through the minor-league section of baseball reference.com rules out Joe Oliver.

LaRue OPS'd 1.046 as a 24-year-old in AA. That may be the closest to my question.

Dan Wilson was a .650 OPS in AA as a 22-year-old.

Any other in-house catching prospects since Bench that I am forgetting?

Jason LaRue is an interesting comp. True he was a year-and-a-half older for the level, but he also had a better track record overall. Use him as a cautionary tale for those that refuse to give Mez up for Lee.

[GIDP]

Jason LaRue is an interesting comp. True he was a year-and-a-half older for the level, but he also had a better track record overall. Use him as a cautionary tale for those that refuse to give Mez up for Lee.

Jason Larue had a .740 OPS over 8 years with the Reds. Thats not all that bad.

[dougdirt]

Jason LaRue is an interesting comp. True he was a year-and-a-half older for the level, but he also had a better track record overall. Use him as a cautionary tale for those that refuse to give Mez up for Lee.

I don't think using a 24 year old in AA as a 'cautionary tale' to not trade a guy who just turned 22 three weeks ago makes all that much sense at all.

[GIDP]

I know many people dont want to hear it but there was always a case to be made that Mesoraco was doing better than the numbers suggested. All those peripherals were strong.

[membengal]

Jason LaRue is an interesting comp. True he was a year-and-a-half older for the level, but he also had a better track record overall. Use him as a cautionary tale for those that refuse to give Mez up for Lee.

No. He was two years older. Let's not shade to fit narratives here.

LaRue was also an answer at catcher for this team for a long time. Cheaply. That has plenty of value.

[membengal]

I don't think using a 24 year old in AA as a 'cautionary tale' to not trade a guy who just turned 22 three weeks ago makes all that much sense at all.

This.

Said better than I just did.

[GIDP]

Carlos Santana at age 22 in A+ and AA in 2008
.326/.431/.568
Rated 26 best prospect in baseball in 2009
Santanas 2007 stats in low A ball at age 21
.223/.318/.370


Devin Mesoraco at age 22 in the same levels not counting tonight
.306/.374/.587

Stats in A+ ball age 21
.228/.311/.381
Interesting none the less