Young backstops

by sportsfreak2744 on Jan 31, 2026 5:24 PM EST

Who would you rather own in a dynasty league with no contract limitations: Devin Mesoraco or Travis d'Arnaud?

Both of these catchers appear to be on the path of stardom at their respective positions. However, I haven't found much material in the way of comparing the two directly. Does one have a distinct advantage or disadvantage over the other? Who is more likely to produce with the bat?

Mesoraco should see a decent amount of playing time this season as only Ryan Hanigan is blocking him from free reign at the position. However, Dusty Baker loves his vets and so he will likely platoon until he's proved he's absolutely ready.

On the other hand, d'Arnaud is blocked by Arencibia at the major league level and has only just finished a year in AA ball. However, Arencibia's lack of approach and ability to hit for average is a pretty legitimate issue and a regular player with an OBP of less than .300 is not going to cut it in the AL East, or anywhere for that matter. So, in short, Arencibia isn't as big a threat as he may initially appear in regards to playing time for Travis.

Either way, both appear strong candidates to catch the majority of their respective teams games at the major league level in 2013.

But....

Who has the better career with the bat? And for bonus points, what makes them different? (Post the latter in the comment section)

Thanks!!

Poll

Who would you rather own in dynasty for the next 10 seasons?

Tweet Comment 25 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Read More: Ryan Hanigan (C - CIN), Devin Mesoraco (C - CIN)

Comments

Woulda been nice if the Phillies kept d’Arnaud.

by DannyO on Jan 31, 2026 9:40 PM EST reply actions

No kidding

Who was that pitcher that they acquired from Toronto anyways?

by Matt0330 on Feb 1, 2026 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

Some scrub that had to be sent all the way back down to A ball early in his career

by guru4u on Feb 1, 2026 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

Isn't Mesoraco a better hitter overall?

His 2011 wRC+ is 26

by Pikachu on Jan 31, 2026 10:23 PM EST reply actions

Grandal

will end up being a better overall offensive talent then either.

by M J 888 on Jan 31, 2026 10:53 PM EST reply actions

Hmmm

What makes you say that?

by sportsfreak2744 on Feb 1, 2026 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

Petco?

seriously? come on now. even when he was with the Reds he wasn’t mentioned in the same breath as Mesoraco. I like Grandal, but now you’re just being contrary for the sake of contrary.

by JoelGuzman'sScout on Feb 1, 2026 4:00 AM EST up reply actions

Home field

That shouldn’t be the issue. Sure, Meso may get a boost from Great American and Grandal may be hindered by Petco, but that shouldn’t be the determining factor in deciding who is a better hitter. Park adjustments.

As hitters, Meso has a bit more power and Ks less. Grandal walks a tad more. Roughly same age, Meso a few months older, played full season at a higher level, although Grandal ended in AAA, Meso in majors. Meso better catching rep I think, although Grandal should be ok.

I’d take Meso over d’Arnaud as well. D’Arnaud over Grandal, but I do like the walks with Grandal.

by wobatus on Feb 1, 2026 5:45 AM EST up reply actions

again

the ISO of Grandal in A/AA/AAA in 2011 was as follows: .214/.173/.167 His OBP was .385/.410/.360. The AAA stats are a very SSS, but still.

Mesoraco’s ISO was .195 in AAA with a OBP of .371.

You said it yourself, Mesoraco is only slightly older (by a few months) but had a higher ISO AND OBP than Grandal in AAA.

by JoelGuzman'sScout on Feb 1, 2026 7:08 AM EST up reply actions

Grandal's OBP in AAA was .667.

Why in the world are you looking at 4 games, BTW? Seriously, it was just 4 games.

by mr. maniac on Feb 1, 2026 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

this is a fantasy question, I think

so home park does make a difference, probably

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 1, 2026 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly

Home field doesn’t matter in real life, but in fantasy baseball its rather important

by nixa37 on Feb 1, 2026 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Oh yeah

My bad. Sorry folks.

by wobatus on Feb 1, 2026 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

Better average and on base

No doubt Meso has more power and he will be helped by the fact he plays in a hitters park. By I expect Grandal to hit a TON of doubles while getting on base at a much better clip. Between the two, if I wanted to take one that I thought would suceed right away in the majors I believe it would be Grandal. I think Meso will struggle out of the gate and D’Arnaud I worry about due to the back issues he had.

I know I am in the minority on this one and that’s fine. Overall Meso might end up having the better career. But at least for the first few years in the majors I like Grandal a lot more then both Meso D’A.

by M J 888 on Feb 1, 2026 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

Not sure I'd expect Grandal to get on at a significantly better clip

Meso posted better OBP at high A and AA in 2010 than Grandal did at the same levels in 2011, and Meso was younger while he was doing that. Throw in Meso strong OBP in AAA as well and I just don’t see what you’re seeing.

by nixa37 on Feb 1, 2026 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

"OBP of less than .300 is not going to cut it... or anywhere for that matter."

The Mariners would bat him clean-up.

by Boxkutter on Feb 1, 2026 3:09 AM EST reply actions

would they now?

perhaps in the past, but Montero, Ackley and Smoak give the Mariners 3 legit hitters. Now, if only the moved in the fences.

by JoelGuzman'sScout on Feb 1, 2026 4:00 AM EST up reply actions

Miguel Olivo

2011 OBP: .253
Number of AB hitting 4th in 2011: 170

by Boxkutter on Feb 1, 2026 7:18 AM EST up reply actions

Justin Smoak is 'legit'?

Rock on, brother.

by Matt0330 on Feb 1, 2026 8:59 AM EST up reply actions

+1

by slickterp on Feb 1, 2026 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

A healthy Justin Smoak is pretty legit, yeah.

by PissedMick on Feb 1, 2026 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not sure I quite get the D'Arnaud love

And I definitely don’t get saying he’s a lock to displace Arencibia because of a better approach:
Arencibia at 23 in AAA: 5.2% BB, 22.8% K
Arencibia at 24 in AAA: 8.3% BB, 18.5% K
D’Arnaud at 22 in AA: 7.1%, 21.5%
Not exactly distinguishable—D’Arnaud was awesome last year (hard to argue with a 150 wRC+) but his numbers were definitely aided by a .365 BABIP, so his BA/OBP were out of line with prior years. In the majors, I’m not sure he and Arencibia are that different as players, JPA with more power, d’Arnaud with better defense (though I’ve read that JPA is improving.)

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 1, 2026 10:33 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

both at 22 in AA: 2.5%BB, 20% K… much worse than 7.1%BB and 21.5%K. From what I’ve heard, D"Arnaud seems to work the count well and has a good approach and should hit for a good enough AVG. JPA is the opposite but he has much more power. Good minor league hitters usually have a high BABIP anyways in the minors.

He’s not going to be a .300+ hitter but should be good enough for .270-.280 and 20 bombs with a decent plate discipline.

Worth noting his K rate seemed to jump up quite a bit when he was traded to the Jays. I’d guess Jays were trying to tap into his power potential.

by Sniderlover on Feb 1, 2026 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

Arencibia's sample in AA

at age 22 was pretty small, only a half season, so I was trying to go with a something a bit larger.

Perhaps true on good hitters and minor league BABIP, but D’Arnaud’s in 2011 was well out-of-line with his career numbers. He’s never been a big walker, and the jump in Ks may correlate with coming over to the Jays, but also with the jump to A+…I see what you’re saying, I just don’t think he’s going to be all that superior to JPA offensively, maybe .250-.260, but less power. OPS-wise, they may actually balance out.

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 1, 2026 12:30 PM EST up reply actions