2007 Reds #1 Pick--Devin Mesoraco (Official Thread)

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by reds44

He's 18.

For some reason, I am not concerned by his struggles.

He is actually 19.

As for the Stubbs comment.... don't be a hater.

[Blitz Dorsey]

And he's also facing pitchers around his age. Yes, pitchers are usually ahead of hitters at that stage (pitchers don't have as many adjustments to make jumping straight from high school like trying to get used to a wooden bat) but it's still not a good sign that Mesoraco is struggling so much already.

And another thing we must remember is that he isn't just facing recently-drafted high school pitchers, he is also facing former college pitchers who weren't drafted very high. So, clearly there is no reason to be alarmed just yet -- he's not going to reach Stubbs status (not hating, but that was a horrible pick for top 10 overall, gotta be real about it) -- but I would like to see him end the season on a high note. Then, he can start next year at Dayton and hopefully be able to hold his own.

[Mario-Rijo]

Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey

And he's also facing pitchers around his age. Yes, pitchers are usually ahead of hitters at that stage (pitchers don't have as many adjustments to make jumping straight from high school like trying to get used to a wooden bat) but it's still not a good sign that Mesoraco is struggling so much already.

And another thing we must remember is that he isn't just facing recently-drafted high school pitchers, he is also facing former college pitchers who weren't drafted very high. So, clearly there is no reason to be alarmed just yet -- he's not going to reach Stubbs status (not hating, but that was a horrible pick for top 10 overall, gotta be real about it) -- but I would like to see him end the season on a high note. Then, he can start next year at Dayton and hopefully be able to hold his own.

I doubt he starts at Dayton next year, most likely Billings and if he plays well perhaps he ends in Dayton. Just my gut feeling about it.

[Aronchis]

Originally Posted by Mario-Rijo

I doubt he starts at Dayton next year, most likely Billings and if he plays well perhaps he ends in Dayton. Just my gut feeling about it.

I expect he will start at Dayton. Don't overestimate what now means. When Kendall came up through the Pirates system over a decade ago, his "rookie ball" season wasn't overly impressive. I could see Mesoraco reaching that level before it is all said and done. Then Kendall improved somewhat his first full year in low A and really exploded as a 20 year old.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Originally Posted by Aronchis

I expect he will start at Dayton. Don't overestimate what now means. When Kendall came up through the Pirates system over a decade ago, his "rookie ball" season wasn't overly impressive. I could see Mesoraco reaching that level before it is all said and done. Then Kendall improved somewhat his first full year in low A and really exploded as a 20 year old.

I agree. No way he starts the season at Billings IMO. That league doesn't even start until mid-summer. What are they going to do, just have him play in extended spring training for two months? I don't think so. I definitely look for him to be with the Dragons from start to finish next year. Might have a rocky year at times, but hopefully he holds his own and then some.

Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey

I agree. No way he starts the season at Billings IMO. That league doesn't even start until mid-summer. What are they going to do, just have him play in extended spring training for two months? I don't think so. I definitely look for him to be with the Dragons from start to finish next year. Might have a rocky year at times, but hopefully he holds his own and then some.

nah. he'll be back in extended next year. i want him one on one for a little bit with the catching coordinator that i hire over the off-season. then he'll move to billings once that season starts up mid june.

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by M2

I agree. I'm just saying they'll sign him for less than they paid Miller, who was a better, more advanced, less risky pitcher. Boras doesn't have an argumentative leg to stand on. He capped himself. I figure Price's absolute ceiling is $4M and Porcello's not beating that either.

I actually have an inside source with the Brackman negotiations, and from what I could glean, Brackman, Moeller's finest as well as a Boras' client, will most likely recieve a 4 million dollar bonus on the last day he can sign (August 15th) to not pull an Aaron Boone (Brack can never play basketball again). Furthermore, I was informed that he will recieve some sort of contract/bonus of 8 million dollars when he hits the bigs. Obviously, this is all speculation, but it looks like Brackman will break through Price's "absolute ceiling", however this may be in large part due to his basketball abilities.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Originally Posted by KeyMastur

nah. he'll be back in extended next year. i want him one on one for a little bit with the catching coordinator that i hire over the off-season. then he'll move to billings once that season starts up mid june.

Jeez. I sure hope you're wrong. That would indicate a small stunt in his development. Possibly a large one. If he doesn't start the year at Dayton (barring injury) then it's clearly a bad sign IMO.

[camisadelgolf]

If there's something KeyMastur understands, it's failure. I have my doubts, but he might be right about this.

[TOBTTReds]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

If there's something ******* understands, it's failure. I have my doubts, but he might be right about this.

He should spend the winter with Mike Stefanski, their bullpen catcher. He is a great catcher and teacher.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Sorry, I have to have higher expectations than the No. 15 overall pick of the draft starting his second season of pro ball in extended spring training. If he is healthy, he starts at Dayton.

[BoydsOfSummer]

Devin hit his first pro home run yesterday. Congrats, Kid!

	
	
Devin, Mesoraco   37 | C
Status: Active

GCL Reds
Rookie Gulf Coast League
MLB Parent Club: Cincinnati
Stats
AVG:
.244
HR:
1
RBI:
7
SB:
1	
Bookmark Player
Full Name: Devin Mesoraco
Born: 06/19/1988
Birthplace: Punxsutawney, PA
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 200
Bats: R
Throws: R

2007 Season
Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
RDS	GCL	.244	22	78	9	19	2	0	1	7	24	7	14	1	0	.322	.308	.630
Minors		.244	22	78	9	19	2	0	1	7	24	7	14	1	0	.322	.308	.630
Last 10 Games: (Current team only)
Date	OPP	AVG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS
Jul 17	ORI	.500	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
Jul 18	@PIR	.333	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Jul 19	@RSX	.250	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jul 21	@TWI	.250	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0
Jul 22	@ORI	.000	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Jul 23	@PIR	.000	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
Jul 27	@ORI	.000	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
Jul 29	RSX	.667	3	1	2	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	0
Aug 01	ORI	.200	5	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Aug 03	RSX	.500	4	2	2	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	0
Totals		.243	37	4	9	1	0	1	3	3	8	1	0
	 
Splits: (Current team only)
Entire Season	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs Left	.250		12	3	3	0	0	1	1	0	1	1	0	.250	.500	.750
vs Right	.242		66	6	16	2	0	0	6	7	13	0	0	.333	.273	.606
Home Games	.308	10	39	7	12	1	0	1	4	3	5	1	0	.357	.410	.767
Away Games	.179	12	39	2	7	1	0	0	3	4	9	0	0	.289	.205	.494
Day Games	.237	21	76	9	18	2	0	1	7	5	14	1	0	.301	.303	.604
Night Games	.500	1	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	.750	.500	1.250
On Grass	.244	22	78	9	19	2	0	1	7	7	14	1	0	.322	.308	.630
June	.167	3	12	1	2	1	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	.231	.250	.481
July	.246	17	57	5	14	1	0	0	5	6	13	0	0	.338	.263	.602
August	.333	2	9	3	3	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	.333	.667	1.000
Bases Empty	.273		44	1	12	1	0	1	1	4	6	0	0	.347	.364	.711
Runners On	.206		34	8	7	1	0	0	6	3	8	1	0	.289	.235	.525
Scoring Position	.250		24	7	6	1	0	0	6	3	7	0	0	.333	.292	.625
Season Totals	.244	22	78	9	19	2	0	1	7	7	14	1	0	.322	.308	.630

	
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[BoydsOfSummer]

From BP's Goldstein; a review of the first rounders.

15. Reds: Devin Mesoraco, C, Punxsutawney HS (Pennsylvania)
Advisor: Hank Sargent
Status: Signed June 22nd; $1.4 million
Where It’s At: The way Mesoraco zoomed up on draft boards in the last weeks leading up to the draft, even an underslot bonus seemed good. Rarely tested against top competition in high school, it’s not a big shock that Mesoraco is struggling early as a pro, batting just .244/.319/.317 in his first 23 Gulf Coast League games, but throwing out nearly 40 percent of opposing basestealers.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Like the rest of you, I am just hoping this kid turns out to be a good player. We absolutely cannot afford to have two first-round draft busts in back-to-back years.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey

Like the rest of you, I am just hoping this kid turns out to be a good player. We absolutely cannot afford to have two first-round draft busts in back-to-back years.

Awful quick to call Stubbs a bust isnt it?

He is working on his 3rd month of an .850 OPS. He had an absolute horrible June, but outside of that, he has been fine.