Cincinnati Reds: What to Expect from the Catcher Position in 2012

The Cincinnati Reds have made a variety of moves this offseason in an attempt to contend for a championship this year. One position that hasn’t received an overhaul is the catcher spot.

The wily veteran Ryan Hanigan has worked his way up the Reds organization for the past 10 years, and is entering the final year of his contract. Hanigan will split time with youngster Devin Mesoraco, who is easily the top prospect in the Reds’ system.

At the Triple-A level, the Reds will likely have two seasoned veterans—Dioner Navarro and Corky Miller. Both have a plethora of experience and are great to have at that level to work with the younger pitchers as they are groomed for the big league.

The most interesting part of the position is the duel for playing time between Mesoraco and Hanigan. Hanigan is loved by the coaching staff for his ability to get on base, skill at framing pitches and intricate knowledge of the Reds pitching staff.

Mesoraco is a raw talent that appeared in 18 games last season. He still has a way to go in terms of adjusting to the majors, but he is sending shock waves throughout the fan base, and rightfully so.

Manager Dusty Baker absolutely loves veterans, even when he may have more talented younger players on his club. Baker’s tendencies to prefer veterans would lead one to believe Hanigan will see the most time at catcher this season.

However, with the Reds’ win-now approach, Baker may have to change his ways. Mesoraco is a much better hitter, and potentially as good defensively. Mesoraco is slowly easing his way into the majors, but may see just as much time, if not more than Hanigan.

Hanigan has never recorded more than 73 starts in a season. He’s produced when healthy, but the durability issue is hanging over his head. However, Hanigan doesn’t appear to be concerned about the amount of playing time he receives:

“I have an idea of how it’s going to go. It’s obviously about production, success. It is what is. Either way, I’m looking forward to working with (Mesoraco) and being a team. You can’t worry about that stuff. When you’re out there, you do your job. When you’re not, you help the other guy when you can.”

John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer thinks the split between Mesoraco and Hanigan is going to be about even. Baker says the decision comes down to how quickly Mesoraco can adjust:

“I don’t know how it’s going play out. A lot depends on what kind of progress Mesoraco makes. If he continues on the path, he’s catcher of the future. When the future is is undecided.”

The Reds, at least for now, are taking a wait-and-see approach to the catcher position. Both Hanigan and Mesoraco seem prepared to do whatever it takes to help the team win, regardless of playing time. For the Reds, they have yet to figure out the catcher position—but that’s a good thing.

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