For Cozart and Mesoraco, Youth Must Serve

Leading into the 2012 season, could it be possible that Zack Cozart and Devin Mesoraco might not feel a ton of pressure? It might not be as great if not for the expectations placed on the squad considering all the off-season moves made by GM Walt Jocketty. Then, the pressure does mount.

That’s not to say the two rookies cannot deal with said pressure, but there is one glaring piece here. Both play critical defensive positions in Cozart at shortstop and Mesoraco behind the plate.

For Cozart, he’s a member of an infield that consists of the three other positions being manned by Gold Glove winners: Scott Rolen at third (8), Brandon Phillips at second (3) and Joey Votto at first (1). That can help to relieve some of the pressure.

The starting position is his. Only an extremely poor spring, on all accounts, could see another name on the lineup card. Having Rolen to one side and BP to another (as well as his double play partner) can only allow for Cozart to mature more as a pro. All the hardware surrounding him will certainly uplift any potential stumble.

Cozart has the silent leadership of Rolen and the dazzling flash of Phillips. He is wedged in a nice position.

You might think the spotlight may not be a bright on Mesoraco. Not so. He’s rated as the Reds top prospect and Baseball America’s #16 overall prospect. The matter surrounding Mesoraco will be playing time. He has a rather steady and consistent guy in front of him in Ryan Hanigan.

Unlike Cozart, Mes has a couple of players which play the catching position that can further assist him: Hanigan and Corky Miller. Mesoraco had the ability to pluck every ounce of knowledge from Corky during the 2011 season. Now, he can do the same with Hanigan. A couple of pretty heady backstops.

Another nuance that could help. These days, catchers aren’t relied upon for calling pitch outs and even throws over to first. Those are done by the bench. I know that part of the game was taken into the dugout some time ago, but Mesoraco can now devote more time to learning how to call a game and attain a comfort level with the staff.

His production at the plate may not be the top aspect to watch. It’s the other intangibles that will, for now that is, matter more. It’s highly likely that Mes will be slotted in the 8-hole, relieveing a little more of that pressure.

Make no mistake that there will be hiccups along this path. There are inevitable. You attempt to limit those. When either of these two produce a fallacy, it should not be unexpected and those times should not produce the onslaught of malicious verbiage…but we know they will in some form.

The minor league numbers for both Cozart and Mesoraco prove they have nothing left to prove at that level. Time to show those in the big leagues they can perform.

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