After looking at Jason Kipnis and Danny Espinosa last week I've turned my attention to Devin Mesoraco and Derek Norris, two catching prospects who were recently voted community prospects #35 and #36, respectively.  Besides the closeness in the rankings, they have other similarities.   Mesoraco, d.o.b. June 19, 1988, and Norris, d.o.b. February 14, 1989, were both selected in the June 2007 Draft out of high school from colder weather baseball states.  More importantly from a fantasy perspective, both have tantalizing appeal as they feature potential impact bats with plus power that could add some depth to the weakest fantasy position for the future.   Of course this is with the caveat that both stay at catcher, because there remain concerns about their defense.  Since these two were so close on our own minorleagueball rankings, I thought I'd take a deeper look.  *As noted last week, the smackdown is more heavily weighted for fantasy purposes.

Background and Intangibles
Mesoraco:  Considered the best high school catcher in the draft, Mesoraco was seen as a draft day wild card, as he moved up draft boards rapidly towards the June 2007 draft date.  With some experts pegging him anywhere from around 10th to the end of the first round, others had him in the top 5 depending on how things shook down with the first few picks.  With that, the Reds nabbed  Mesoraco 15th overall (right after Jason Heyward), out of Punxsotawney High School in Pennsylvania [insert Ground Hog Day quote here].  In his sophmore season in high school, Mesoraco injured his elbow resulting in Tommy John surgery causing him to miss his entire junior season.  When he returned for his senior year, Mesoraco made up for lost time by hitting .421/.632/.911 with 4hr's earning him the Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania and a 2007 Louisville Slugger All-American.  Going into the draft his ability to hit and his solid defense gained strong reviews, though no one tool stood out.  In terms of his defense, MLB.com's pre-draft scouting report praised his ability to block balls in the dirt, with 'plus hands behind the plate.  His arm strength had also returned post-Tommy John answering any concerns on that issue. 

Norris: A few rounds later in the June '07, 4th Round 130th overall, the Nationals selected Derek Norris, from Goddard High School in Kansas.   Norris was drafted as a Third Baseman/Cacther, but his bat was his draft day calling card.  In his senior year, Norris started off slowly after being hit in the head with an errant throw while sitting in the dugout.  After some missed time, he went on to hit .500 with 3hrs also earning Gatorade Player of the Year for Kansas and being named a 2007 Louisville Slugger All-American.  Further, ESPN's Rise Magazine, which covers high school kids, bestowed their 2006 and 2007 Baseball Player of the Year for the State of Kansas on Norris. While Norris may have been drafted in the 4th round, many believed he was a second round talent and when the Nats drafted him the Norris camp indicated they wanted second round money.  With a letter of intent signed to play college ball with Wichita State, there were concerns that the Nats would not be able to sign him.   As legend goes, former big league catcher and Manager Bob Boone met with the Norris family and was able to convince Norris to sign with the Nats, and lure him away from Wichita State.  Unlike Mesoraco, but like many high school catchers, Norris' defense at catcher was considered a project and it was uncertain if that's where he would remain.

Advantage:  Though drafted out of lesser known high schools from cold weather states, both Mesoraco and Norris displayed enough promise to gain scout's attention.  While Mesoraco was drafted in the first round, Norris fell somewhat and signability then became a factor.  Mesoraco had missed a full season due to Tommy John surgery, and Norris had his senior season slowed when hit by an errant throw.  Coming out of high school, Mesoraco drew strong reports about his defense at catcher, whereas Norris' defense was going to require a lot of work behind the plate while his bat was above average for catcher.  Norris'  receiving skills were considered poor, but his bat was seen as being capable of handling an infield or outfield corner. Neither have makeup issues.  Edge: Slight edge Mesoraco

Physicality, Health and Tools
Mesoraco: Listed currently at 6'1 220lbs, Mesoraco's lower half has thickened up quite a bit since his draft days and even looking closer he was still only listed at 6'1 200lbs after the 2008 season.  While it's not a huge concern right now, Mesoraco will have to keep his weight in check if he wants to stay behind the plate long-term.  Mesoraco is no stranger to the injury front.  I've already mentioned his Tommy John surgery in high school, but he has also been nagged by injuries professionally.  Two thumb injuries derailed his debut in 2007 into '08, he was hampered by a wrist injury in '09.    In terms of his tools, Mesoraco was alwasy viewed as a plus defender.  Though he's not in jeopardy from being moved from the position in the short-term, what's more concerning then the weight gain and injuries has been the lack of improvement in passballs displayed over the last few seasons.  Recently in the Arizona Fall League he committed 4 errors and had 10 passballs in only 18 games.  It's understandable that high school catchers, especially from colder weather states, take more time to develop defensively, but it's more of a shock with Mesoraco since his receiving and blocking skills were praised coming out of high school.   He's averaged double digits in passballs over each minor league season something that won't pass at the big league level.  He did still manage to throw out 40% of would-be base stealers.  Perhaps the weight gain and defensive shortcomings coincide?  On the positive side, it's without saying that Mesoraco's power tool broke out this year as he tapped into his plus power.  He also has shown more patience, as evidenced by his higher walk to strikeout ratio.  The improved pitch selection led to him posting a higher OBP and Avg. which if he can maintain this he could flash an above average to plus hit tool.  Speed will not be any part of Mesoraco's game so he's not going to beating out too many grounders or legging out many doubles.

Norris: Listed at 6'0 210lbs, Norris remains the same height and weight as he did when drafted in '07.  Like Mesoraco, Norris has had his share of visits to sick bay. His injuries, like the one in high school have been more flukey than anything.  While preparing to play in the AFL in October 2009, Norris broke the hamate bone in his left hand/wrist causing him to be shut down and delaying the start of his 2010 season.  Once he returned to Potomac to start '10, he was promptly he hit in head with a pitch causing him to miss additional time with a concussion.  There still remain questions about whether Norris can stick at catcher, but he has come along way in answering his critics.  The Nats have praised his work ethic and believe  he has taken great strides defensively and believe he can remain there long-term.  Norris' arm strength and accuracy are evidenced by his ability to throw out runners.  He threw out an impressive 47% of would-be base stealers in his '07 debut in the New York Penn League continuing that right up to this year and into the Arizona Fall League where he threw out 46%.  Like Mesoraco, he too has been prone to passballs and will have to work on his receiving skills.  Norris' ability to get on base is his best asset, along with his power potential.   His patience and pitch recoginition is evidenced by the fact that he's drawn an unbelievable 267 walks in 326 career minor league games.    But his patience has also led to high strikeout totals, and the Nats may want him to be a bit more aggressive to maximize his power.   Speaking of his power, Norris doesn't get shortchanged.  His swing is compact and he projects to hit for plus power.  Acknowledging that it takes upwards of a year for power to return after a hamate injury, almost a year later Norris began displaying his power in the AFL by slugging a ridiculous .667.  Norris is athletic and moves fairly well on the bases.  He doesn't project to have more than average speed.

Advantage: While agility and lateral movement behind the plate are obviously preferred for catching, the Molina bros. show that this isn't necessarily detrimental to Mesoraco's long-term ability to play the position.  Still this is something he'll have to monitor. For me, the injuries to his elbow, thumbs, and wrist, as well as the weight gain lead to questions about his durability and longevity behind the dish.  In the AFL this year, MLB.com said that some scouts thought Mesoraco could be an everyday catcher on both ends, while others did not come away very impressed.  Similarly there remain concerns about Norris' receiving skills, and he too has had some injury concerns.  He's also he earned high marks for his patience and power.  It doesn't look like either of these two are moving from the position, at least for the time being, and for fantasy owners that's a good thing.   Edge: Tie

Current Performance
Mesoraco: Mesoraco overcame dreadful seasons in 2007, 2008 and 2009, exploding with a final line of .302/.377/.587 with 26hr's. Perhaps it was late season fatigue as Mesoraco went to the AFL and he really struggled.  More alarming was the 15k's to only 1 walk in 68ab's there.  Besides his AFL performance, it's difficult to argue that he didn't put himself back on the prospect map in 2010 and establish himself as one of the games best catching prospects.  He tapped into his power potential and showed it across the levels.  Due to his extensive injury history and now weight gain, there are some who question his ability to remain at the position long-term.

Norris: Norris broke out onto the prospect scene in 2009 at Class A Hagerstown, when he hit .286/.413/.513 with 23hr's and 30 doubles earning the South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Major League Prospect and Milb.com Class A Best Hitter of the Year.  Following his breakout, as indicated, he broke his hamate bone preparing for the AFL in October.  After rehabbing in the off-season, the expected power shortage came to fruition.  Matters didn't get any better for Norris after his slow start when he was plunked in the head by a 96 mile/hr fastball causing a minor concussion and time on the DL.  Not a big surprise that it took him some additional plate appearances for him to put the episode behind him. Norris' final line of .232/.413/.413 did not meet the expectations placed on him coming into the year, but even with the low average his walk rate and on OBP remained strong.   About a year after his hamate injury Norris returned to the AFL this off-season posting an impressive .278/.403/.667 stat line with 5doubles, 2 triples and 4hrs in 54ab's.

Advantage: If we are giving Mesoraco mulligans for 2007, 2008 and 2009, then we must give Norris the same for 2010 returning from the hamate injury.  Both appear to have plus power, but  Mesoraco displayed his power at the upper levels this year.  If Norris' AFL performance is any indication, he will look to parlay that success in Double A next year.   Edge: Slight edge Mesoraco  

Projection
Mesoraco: Mesoraco's receiving skills have gone from plus to average.  This is not that uncommon for catcher's coming out of high school as it takes time to develop, but it was a little bit more of a surprise considering Mesoraco's scouting reports.  More of a concern is that with three full minor league seasons he has not reduced his passed balls and his lower half has thickened up.  This has not held back Mesoraco's hitting though, as he finally put things together at the plate in 2010.  His projected power came out in games and he projects as a plus power hitter.  His better pitch selection led to an increase in walks, OBP, and average.  While he wasn't really projected to have a plus hit tool, if he can maintain his walk rate and pitch selection, he could be an above average hitter with plus power.  This would have to be the case if Mesoraco is forced from catcher.  He's not athletic enough for an outfield corner, so he'd really have to hit to play first base. 

Norris: Norris' 2010 is hopefully an anomaly, especially after his breakout in 2009.  Most scouts continue to see Norris' plus power to all field and praise his on-base ability as an offensive first catcher.  While he won't win any batting titles, there is optimism that he can hit for some average, with ranges from .250 and to close to .300.   His defense has gone from project to passable, and the Nats continue to see him as a catcher.  Even if he doesn't stick at catcher, reports are that he is athletic and his power and hit tool are enough that he could be a valuable first baseman or corner outfielder.

Advantage: If Mesoraco can harness his defense, he figures to be an above average catcher both offensively and defensively.  Norris on the otherhand has proven skeptics wrong so far.  If he is able to remain an adequate defender, his offensive prowess supercedes Mesoraco.  Given that questions on defense remain for both, Norris' athleticism and bat should enable him to move to first or to an outfield corner.  Edge: Norris

Summary

I really like the step forward taken by Mesoraco this year offensively, but I don't think you can totally disregard the disappointing previous seasons and injury history, as well as the weight gain and passballs.  Similarly, while Norris has made great strides to work on his defense he's not out of the woods yet, as he still needs to harness his receiving.  He also needs to stay healthy in 2011 to show that the flukey injuries he sustained at the end of '09 and beanball are one-offs.  I do like Norris' bat and toolset more than Mesoraco but this prospect smackdown, much like the prospect list, is too close to call.  This one is a draw.