The Unclear Future Of Devin Mesoraco

(Photo courtesy of The Enquirer/Sam Greene)

Cincinnati Reds catcher, Devin Mesoraco, has had an up and down major league career. He broke into the majors with the Reds in 2011.  In 2012, he was the backup catcher to Ryan Hanigan.  A solid hitter to that point, Mesoraco thrived in 2013 given more playing time due to Hanigan’s injuries.  Finally, in the off season of 2013, the Reds traded their starting catcher Ryan Hanigan in a three team trade giving Mesoraco his chance to play every day. In 2014, he was an All-Star and batted .273 with 25 home runs and 80 RBI.

 It looked like Devin Mesoraco could be the next star player for the Reds but the next season everything went downhill for him.  In 2015, he played only 23 games and batted .178.  He injured his hip and needed surgery which ended his season.  At the beginning of the 2016 campaign, it looked like Mesoraco was ready to turn things around.  But after only 16 games, he injured his left shoulder and was shut down for the rest of the season. It has become clear that catching is taking a toll on his body and it is time for Mesoraco to find other positions to play.  Although it has already been discussed numerous times that he will remain a catcher, I strongly disagree and think a positional change is needed.  Although he does not have the speed to track down everything in the outfield, I think he could play a solid left field.  His bat makes up for the defense and and with a very inconsistent Adam Duvall in left field right now, I think that moving would benefit both himself and the club.

As of right now, Devin Mesoraco has a very unclear future.  I feel with a few changes, he could get back to his All-Star form and help get the Reds get back to a championship caliber team.