2011 Season in Review: Devin Mesoraco

Devin Mesoraco came into the 2011 season fresh off of a huge breakout year for him in which he hit .302/.377/.587 across three levels. The 2011 season would be a big one, ending with him catching games in Cincinnati for the Reds.

April was pretty much a pick up from where Mesoraco had left off the season before as he would go out and hit .313/.405/.552 with 10 walks and 18 strikeouts on the month. In just 67 at bats on the month, Mesoraco had 7 doubles which would be a sign of things to come to go along with 3 home runs.

In May there was a slight step backwards, though it really only came in the power department. Mesoraco had 10 walks and 15 strikeouts in 93 at bats while hitting 8 doubles and 2 home runs. For the month the catcher would post a .301/.375/.452 line. On May 9th, he may have had the worst game of his career as he went 0-8 with 2 strikeouts in an game against Rochester. 8 days later he would have a 5 hit game with a double, 2 runs and an RBI.

June continued the strong season  as he would hit for a .317/.391/.554 line in 101 at bats. Over the month he would strike out 20 times and walk 12 times to go along with 13 doubles, a triple and 3 home runs. On June 3rd Mesoraco had arguably his best game of the season with a 3-3 effort to go with a walk, 2 doubles, HR and 5 RBI.

The month of July was a bit of a step backwards for Mesoraco. In 94 at bats he walked just 6 times and had 22 strikeouts. The 6 walks on the month were a season low for a month, by a wide margin. His power also dropped off with 5 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs as he hit just .277/.324/.415 for the month.

August was a bit of a strange month for him as he hit just .235, but had 14 walks and just 8 strikeouts in 81 at bats along with a season monthly high of 5 home runs. He would post a .235/.364/.457 line for the month. His best game of the season did come during the month though as he went 4-4 with 2 home runs, a double and 5 RBI on August 23rd.

Mesoraco received a September call up from the Reds after posting a .289/.371/.484 line for Louisville. He made his debut on September 3rd as a pinch hitter and smacked a double in his lone appearance on the night. He would struggle during the month in the Majors, perhaps due to being worn down or perhaps it was due to his .184 BABIP during the month. For the month, stretching 53 plate appearances he would hit just .180/.226/.360 with 3 walks and 10 strikeouts.

Overall Thoughts

If anyone had any doubts on Mesoraco’s breakout coming into the season, their concerns were clearly put to bed and quickly. Heading into the 2012 season he should find himself getting the bigger platoon of the catching split in Cincinnati as he splits some time with Ryan Hanigan. He has the potential to be an All-Star level catcher who can both hit and play defense. I wouldn’t expect that this upcoming season, but it wouldn’t be out of the question either if he can make adjustments throughout the season.

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