Drafted by the Reds in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft, Devin Mesoraco was one of those homegrown players who everyone thought could be the next franchise catcher. And he was! Unfortunately, however, it was short-lived. Mesoraco made his MLB debut on September 3, 2011 at the age of 23 against the St. Louis Cardinals. He recorded his first major league hit in his only at-bat of that game.
Mesoraco’s career with the Reds illuminates clearly what injuries can do to a once-promising player. Over seven years, he hit .234/.309/.405 (.711 OPS), with 48 HR, 58 doubles, 2 triples, 162 RBI, 129 runs scored and 486 total bases.