With Ryan Hanigan traded to Tampa Bay, Devin Mesoraco is expected to take over as the Reds starting catcher in 2014 -- a role he tells the Cincinnati Enquirer he's ready to fill after splitting time with Hanigan the last two seasons.
"I believe that I'm an everyday catcher in the big leagues I don't think I've quite played as good as I can," he said. "I think playing every day, getting all the reps, getting that at-bats, that's only going to help. We'll go from there. We'll go from there and I believe we're going in the right direction."
Mesoraco, who was considered a top prospect when he first reached the majors in 2011, showed how he's capable of performing in an everyday role during a 22-game stretch that Ryan Hanigan missed with a wrist injury from early July to early August. Playing in 21 of those games, Mesoraco hit .286 with four homers and an .820 OPS in 70 at-bats.
"It was right after the All-Star break that Hani went down, and I'm not going to say it had to do with playing every day, but I think my comfort level at that time, I felt [more] comfortable, it was like it was my job, my team, I could go out there and be the player I feel like I can," Mesoraco said.