Dusty says Hannigan to catch more than Mesoraco

[GAC]

That plan makes sense to me.

I totally agree. I do't understand why some would have a problem with a young kid who has how much ML experience, as well as A/Bs, being gradually worked in? He just needs to take advantage of those opportunities when given that's all.

And as talented a catching prospect that Mesoraco may be, he still has much to learn yet, and he can get that from Hanigan.

[klw]

Does anyone remember which pitchers Hanigan typically caught last year? Latos is new so it would make sense for Mez to take him. Hanigan keeps his guys and Mez takes Hernandez's (I seem to remember Hernandez had Volquez) if the other 4 are split 2 and 2

[WildcatFan]

Does anyone remember which pitchers Hanigan typically caught last year? Latos is new so it would make sense for Mez to take him. Hanigan keeps his guys and Mez takes Hernandez's (I seem to remember Hernandez had Volquez) if the other 4 are split 2 and 2

I believe Hanigan caught Arroyo, Leake and Bailey, and Ramon caught Cueto, Volquez, and the tandem of other guys who started at various points of the year (Willis, Wood, etc.). By the end of the season, Mes was catching pretty much everybody, FWIW.

I'm on board with Hanigan getting most of the starts for now with Mes catching 1-2 days a week until he gets his feet wet. Mes really struggled from the plate in his 15 or so games in September, and this being an important year, I think he needs to prove he can be a productive hitter before you give him even a half of the load. I'm a big fan of Hanigan, both at the plate and behind it and would even like to see him get some starts in the 2-hole of the lineup.

[Puffy]

What a shame....

Shocking that you, Doug, would rather the young player play than the guy who is a proven commodity. Let's remember Mes was not impressive in the least last year in September nor this spring. He is going to have to force himself into more playing time - which is exactly how it should be.

[MikeS21]

I believe Hanigan caught Arroyo, Leake and Bailey, and Ramon caught Cueto, Volquez, and the tandem of other guys who started at various points of the year (Willis, Wood, etc.). By the end of the season, Mes was catching pretty much everybody, FWIW.

I'm on board with Hanigan getting most of the starts for now with Mes catching 1-2 days a week until he gets his feet wet. Mes really struggled from the plate in his 15 or so games in September, and this being an important year, I think he needs to prove he can be a productive hitter before you give him even a half of the load. I'm a big fan of Hanigan, both at the plate and behind it and would even like to see him get some starts in the 2-hole of the lineup.

Then let Mes struggle at AAA, where he can get work in facing live playing conditions - not riding the bench. How can he "get his feet wet" from the bench? How can he "prove he can be a productive hitter" if he is only hitting in one or two games a week? Mes needs to be in a situation where he is the primary catcher. If he isn't ready for the big leagues, then why is he here?

Out of every ten games the Reds play, Mes ought to catch no less than six or seven games.

[bucksfan2]

Then let Mes struggle at AAA, where he can get work in facing live playing conditions - not riding the bench. How can he "get his feet wet" from the bench? How can he "prove he can be a productive hitter" if he is only hitting in one or two games a week? Mes needs to be in a situation where he is the primary catcher. If he isn't ready for the big leagues, then why is he here?

Out of every ten games the Reds play, Mes ought to catch no less than six or seven games.

Mes said he felt it was more important that he ride the bench and learn the aspects of being a major league catcher then spend every day in the minors playing.

[WildcatFan]

Mes said he felt it was more important that he ride the bench and learn the aspects of being a major league catcher then spend every day in the minors playing.

This.

There's only so far Mes can advance his skills in AAA. Getting his feet wet means easing him into major league catching by giving him a couple starts a week while learning under Hanigan. Remember, this is Hanigan's fifth season in the bigs, and I think most of us would agree he understands the game as well as anyone. Mes can learn from this guy just sitting next to him every day.

[vic715]

I remember a 20 year old rookie catcher the Reds had in 1968 who ended up making the all-star team.His being needed to get familier with the league is overated,as I'm sure he goes over the lineup before the game and scouting is more advanced than it once was.If he's the catcher of the future and he's on the 25 man roster then let him play.

[traderumor]

Mes said he felt it was more important that he ride the bench and learn the aspects of being a major league catcher then spend every day in the minors playing.

There seems to be a default position with some that "prospect playing every day > prospect getting major league experience while not playing every day." At catcher, I think Mesaroco is wise beyond his years in his comments.

[traderumor]

I remember a 20 year old rookie catcher the Reds had in 1968 who ended up making the all-star team.His being needed to get familier with the league is overated,as I'm sure he goes over the lineup before the game and scouting is more advanced than it once was.If he's the catcher of the future and he's on the 25 man roster then let him play.

Once in a lifetime player and an exception to any developmental rule of thumb.

[RedsManRick]

Does anyone remember which pitchers Hanigan typically caught last year? Latos is new so it would make sense for Mez to take him. Hanigan keeps his guys and Mez takes Hernandez's (I seem to remember Hernandez had Volquez) if the other 4 are split 2 and 2

Rule of thumb was that Hanigan took the English speakers, Hernandez took the Spanish speakers.

[dougdirt]

Shocking that you, Doug, would rather the young player play than the guy who is a proven commodity. Let's remember Mes was not impressive in the least last year in September nor this spring. He is going to have to force himself into more playing time - which is exactly how it should be.

Yeah, it is completely shocking that I would want to see the guy who is likely to be the better player of the two THIS YEAR, play more.

Mesoraco is a better hitter than Hanigan is, I don't care what he did in September (where his BABIP was under .200) or in some practice games. It isn't about him being a prospect or a young guy. It has to do with him being the better player. Just like Chapman, who I want starting in Louisville, because him getting acclimated and experience in that role is far more important and valuable to the Reds future than what he is being used as right now. Sure, maybe Hanigans overall value can be similar to that of Mesoraco this year when we look at the whole package, but that also means in the future we are likely to wait longer to see the full package from Mesoraco because he went out and got 300 PA's this year instead of 450. Mesoraco isn't some meddling prospect, he was the best catching prospect in the game for the last two seasons.

[Kc61]

Then let Mes struggle at AAA, where he can get work in facing live playing conditions - not riding the bench. How can he "get his feet wet" from the bench? How can he "prove he can be a productive hitter" if he is only hitting in one or two games a week? Mes needs to be in a situation where he is the primary catcher. If he isn't ready for the big leagues, then why is he here?

Out of every ten games the Reds play, Mes ought to catch no less than six or seven games.

This board is consumed with sending people to AAA if they aren't used exactly as the poster believes. AAA, AAA, AAA.

It's almost like everyone here is most interested in winning the IL title rather than the NL title.

Mes will get plenty of work behind the dish, and will learn much being in the major leagues this year. But Hanigan is more experienced and is a fine catcher and good hitter in his own right.

Dusty probably intends to have Hanigan catch three of the starters - and have Mes catch two of the starters. So Hanny catches 60 percent of the time, Mes the rest.

Hard to imagine anyone complaining about this. Mes isn't Williie Harris who may get 3 at bats a week. He will catch and hit plenty.

[Kc61]

Yeah, it is completely shocking that I would want to see the guy who is likely to be the better player of the two THIS YEAR, play more.

Mesoraco is a better hitter than Hanigan is, I don't care what he did in September (where his BABIP was under .200) or in some practice games. It isn't about him being a prospect or a young guy. It has to do with him being the better player. Just like Chapman, who I want starting in Louisville, because him getting acclimated and experience in that role is far more important and valuable to the Reds future than what he is being used as right now. Sure, maybe Hanigans overall value can be similar to that of Mesoraco this year when we look at the whole package, but that also means in the future we are likely to wait longer to see the full package from Mesoraco because he went out and got 300 PA's this year instead of 450. Mesoraco isn't some meddling prospect, he was the best catching prospect in the game for the last two seasons.

These opinions all start from the premise that 2012 is secondary and the "future" is important.

That premise leads to a never-ending spiral of waiting till next year.

Dusty and Walt want to win this year. They aren't doing anything terrible to accomplish that. Chapman is helping in a role of serious need caused by injury. Mes is deferring somewhat to a more experienced and very good catcher.

Both are in the majors, both will get lots of opportunities going forward.

Nothing wrong with it.

[dougdirt]

These opinions all start from the premise that 2012 is secondary and the "future" is important.

That premise leads to a never-ending spiral of waiting till next year.

Dusty and Walt want to win this year. They aren't doing anything terrible to accomplish that. Chapman is helping in a role of serious need caused by injury. Mes is deferring somewhat to a more experienced and very good catcher.

Both are in the majors, both will get lots of opportunities going forward.

Nothing wrong with it.

My premise is that Mesoraco will be every bit as good as Hanigan this year and much better in the future, so splitting time or even giving Hanigan more time right now is just a bad choice.

Chapman... I will leave it for the other threads.