Better Prospects: Devin Mesoraco or Yasmani Grandal?

[TRF]

IMO Grandal isn't a prospect until he signs.

[camisadelgolf]

Grandal's biggest comp is Yadier Molina. Well, Molina was never much of a hitter in the minors (nor majors), and Mesoraco has destroyed minor league pitching so far this year. Mesoraco also seems to be doing quite well behind the plate in regards to handling pitchers, throwing out base runners, etc. (aside from possibly passed balls). I think it's a pretty easy decision, but a cold streak for Mez and a big debut for Grandal could swing me the other way.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by TRF

IMO Grandal isn't a prospect until he signs.

Well the term prospect in baseball applies to their prospects as a major leaguer, so the guy is a prospect.... just not for our team until he signs.

[nemesis]

Mez. He has finally lived up to the draft postion and all of the perrophrials that Doug has pointed out time and time again. He got comfortible real quick in AA after having some issues at the plate early on. His walk rate dropped going up a level but his K rate has stayed the same. He might start the year out in AAA next year and that would be an excellent development. Grandel to me comps upside wise offensively to G. Soto. Mesorsco if he continues his development, McCann.

[REDblooded]

I expect Grandal to be pretty solid... But have to go with Mes... I like the intangibles and the experience...

[medford]

on a similar plane, how is Soto doing w/ his work converting to catcher? I haven't heard as much about him. It would be nice to have Des in AAA, Soto in AA and Grandal in High A to begin next year. I wonder if they'll target Soto for the Arizona Fall League to have him play a bunch of catcher this offseason?

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by medford

on a similar plane, how is Soto doing w/ his work converting to catcher? I haven't heard as much about him. It would be nice to have Des in AAA, Soto in AA and Grandal in High A to begin next year. I wonder if they'll target Soto for the Arizona Fall League to have him play a bunch of catcher this offseason?

Tools wise, Soto is still getting reports that he can stick there. Skill wise, he isn't close yet. From a pure defensive perspective, he should be in the AZL/Billings. But his bat is way too advanced for that of course. I expect Soto, if healthy, will be in instructs getting plenty of reps at catcher again.

[muddie]

This thread would serve a better purpose about a year from now.

[Hoosier Red]

Just curious, what are Mesoraco's stats since Grandal was drafted. I know he had a bit of a rough transition to Double A for a few weeks but it seems as though he's been tearing things up since the draft.

[GIDP]

Am I wrong in saying that Mesoraco from the start was a better prospect? From a scouting POV Mes just seems like the better talent.

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by GIDP

Am I wrong in saying that Mesoraco from the start was a better prospect? From a scouting POV Mes just seems like the better talent.

Mesoraco has always had the higher ceiling, but he's also always had the longer odds. The big knock against Mesoraco is that history shows high school catchers from small towns don't have good baseball careers. Mesoraco was drafted for his tools, but Grandal was drafted for his polish.

[Mario-Rijo]

Originally Posted by GIDP

Am I wrong in saying that Mesoraco from the start was a better prospect? From a scouting POV Mes just seems like the better talent.

Not at all, right on point IMO. He simply has better pure talent according to the scouting reports which I have no idea why we'd start questioning scouting reports at this juncture on Mes...or for that matter on anyone. I think Grandal has a shot to be the better bat if he eventually improves or cans hitting from the right side but to me that is secondary to his game behind the plate and that is where Mes should gain his worth.

Give me a good defender with an average offensive game all day everyday over the opposite. To me Hanigan is exactly what you want in a catcher if you can't have a Johnny Bench and I think Mes has a much fairer shot at being that guy assuming he keeps on improving his skills.

[Kingspoint]

Would like to see Grandel first.

[gedred69]

Originally Posted by medford

This seems almost unfair for Grandal in that he has no chance of winning this poll. Few here have seen him as much as they may have seen Des in Dayton or spring training, plus as others have said, he's got legit minor league numbers, with a wooden bat and vs legit pitching and basestealing prospects in the minors, while Grandal's numbers come against inconsistant college pitching and inconsistant college base stealers, some legit prospects, some that will never sniff pro ball.

So a couple of questions. Is there a rough estimate on how Des' numbers this season would have transferred back to a high level college program like Miami? Or conversly, how Grandal's numbers would tranfer to High A/AA ball? My gut says their numbers would be pretty similar, if not favoring Des though I don't believe its an exact science comparing a college metal bat to a pro ball wood bat. Wouldn't Des be a college junior this season had he gone the college route? Seems like they would have been picked around the same point had Des gone to college and put his translated numbers from this season in his junior year of college.

2) More importantly in my mind, if Des continues on the path he's set forth this season, what are the odds he breaks camp w/ the Reds next season? The safe path would seem to indicate that they pick up Ramon's option and go w/ the catching tandem they've used this year, w/ Des getting a full season in AAA. However, if Des can prove he belongs in the show, at least as a back up to Hannigan, perhaps in a similar role as hannigan and Ramon share this year, it could save the Reds a decent chunk of change, at least enough to help pick up some middle relief or pay Rhodes for 1 more season.

Mesoraco was barely mediocre at Dayton. (Saw him several times).And, he was marginal for a good portion of last season. Slowly to some, he started showing promise. One thing obvious, he wanted to be good and worked very hard on that. This year he went monster at High A, started slow after promo to AA, and like any hard determined athlete has turned very positive of late. I'm on his bandwagon. I have no idea what to expect from Grandal, sounds like he wasn't much early on but kinda' figured it out lately as well. Look up and down the Reds system, and it may very well be Catcher-rich. That could be some powerful trade bait down the road. (just keep the right guy)!

[membengal]

Grandal will have to be a catcher prospect of some note to rank higher than a 22-year-old OPSing .975 between A and AA...