FROM BUST TO BOOM
Baseball America|October 2022
Devin Mesoraco reversed early pro struggles to become an all-star catcher
KYLE BANDUJO
FROM BUST TO BOOM

Failure is a foreign concept for most high school first-round picks, and Devin Mesoraco was no different. Other than Tommy John surgery as a sophomore, not much had slowed down Mesoraco on the field at Punxsutawney (Pa.) High.

The 2007 grad wrapped his prep career by winning a state championship and being drafted by the Reds at No. 15 overall. Touted as an athletic catcher with a strong chance to stick behind the plate, Mesoraco quickly signed for $1.4 million and reported to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

He then spent that summer learning a lot about failure. 

“All that stuff was very challenging. I struggled initially,” Mesoraco said. “You go to Florida and it’s a thousand degrees, and I’d never played in heat like that . . . It became somewhat overwhelming, I didn’t play very well.”

Bu hikaye Baseball America dergisinin October 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Baseball America dergisinin October 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BASEBALL AMERICA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
Baseball America

INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

Following the dissolution of the Pac-12, Oregon State embraces the uncertainty-and challenge of playing with no conference affiliation and remaining a national power

time-read
6 dak  |
February 2025
MLB FEELS THE LOSS OF MR. BASEBALL, BOB UECKER
Baseball America

MLB FEELS THE LOSS OF MR. BASEBALL, BOB UECKER

Bob Uecker was never afraid to laugh at himself. His sense of humor endeared him to millions and earned him a place of reverence in the game, making his Mr. Baseball moniker entirely fitting.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2025
BASEBALL LOSES RICKEY HENDERSON, ITS MAN OF STEAL
Baseball America

BASEBALL LOSES RICKEY HENDERSON, ITS MAN OF STEAL

From roaming the hallways at Oakland Technical High to breaking records down the road at the Oakland Coliseum, left fielder Rickey Henderson personified the heart and grit of his home city.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2025
A WINNING COMBINATION
Baseball America

A WINNING COMBINATION

More talent and better training methods have made college baseball a more attractive precursor to pro ball. Preseason No. 1 Texas A&M typifies this talent-rich new reality.

time-read
5 dak  |
February 2025
IT'S NOT HOW YOU START
Baseball America

IT'S NOT HOW YOU START

Evidence mounts that baseball players, especially pitchers, should aim to peak around age 20

time-read
4 dak  |
February 2025
WHY COLLEGE BASEBALL COACHES ARE PURSUING OLDER ROSTERS
Baseball America

WHY COLLEGE BASEBALL COACHES ARE PURSUING OLDER ROSTERS

Nick Mingione was certain about two things heading into the 2023 season, his seventh at the helm of Kentucky's baseball program.

time-read
5 dak  |
February 2025
TWINSPIRATION
Baseball America

TWINSPIRATION

Witherspoon twins Kyson and Malachi draw inspiration from their determined single mother and each other as their baseball journey leads them to the front of Oklahoma's rotation

time-read
6 dak  |
February 2025
SURVIVE AND ADAPT
Baseball America

SURVIVE AND ADAPT

To be a college baseball coach is to be at the whim of the money-making sports, football and basketball. Success in such an environment is dependent on resiliency and malleability.

time-read
6 dak  |
February 2025
INDEPENDENT/PARTNER LEAGUES PLAYER OF THE YEAR ADAM FOGEL, MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS
Baseball America

INDEPENDENT/PARTNER LEAGUES PLAYER OF THE YEAR ADAM FOGEL, MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS

Adam Fogel sets the Pioneer League home run record in a season to remember

time-read
4 dak  |
December 2024/January 2025
MINOR LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MIKE ABRAMSON, HARTFORD YARD GOATS
Baseball America

MINOR LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MIKE ABRAMSON, HARTFORD YARD GOATS

Hartford GM Mike Abramson’s tireless dedication has made the Yard Goats one of the best tickets in the minor leagues

time-read
3 dak  |
December 2024/January 2025