I can't really fault the reds for how they handled the catching spot last year given how valuable Hanigan is, but making rookies with pedigree "earn it" seems a little silly and arbitrary to me. If they think he can hit, give him an actual opportunity beyond a handful of trips to the plate every week.
Why?
He earned a trip to the bigs on his pedigree. He earns more playing time with production over and above what the position player he replaces has done. Especially considering the team's chances to win the pennant.
In seasons where pennants aren't at stake, the calculus obviously changes.
But Mesoraco is going to have to earn his playing time. If he can.
So he earns it in that limited, erratic playing time so that his small sample size grows larger.
I simply don't understand the mindset that continues from some posters that Mesoraco is entitled to playing time. Why wouldn't we, as fans, want the best player playing so that the Reds can win more? I'd understand this mindset if the Reds were Astros or Cubs bad (or even Pirates or Brewers bad), but this team is (and was last season) built to win.
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"You only have to bat a thousand in two things; flying and heart transplants. Everything else you can go 4-for-5."
-Beano Cook
You know what I mean. I wouldn't be making this argument if I thought last season was in any way reflective of Mesoraco's true talent level.
And just for the record, I totally see your case for Hanigan over Mesoraco and I probably even agree on most days. I just find the question of how to integrate a potentially high impact rookie onto a winning ballclub interesting. That hasn't been a relevant topic in quite some time.
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