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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Devin Mesoraco on List of 20 Greatest Dragons

February 22, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Devin Mesoraco with the Dayton Dragons in 2008
Devin Mesoraco with the Dayton Dragons in 2008
(Dayton Dragons)

Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons today announced the next name on their list of "20 Greatest Dragons." The player recognition is part of the organization's 20th Season Celebration. Players selected on the list of 20 are being announced in random order leading up to the Dragons 20th Opening Night game on Thursday, April 4 against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

Next on the list of the 20 Greatest Dragons is:

Devin Mesoraco

Mesoraco joined the Dragons in May of 2008 after being taken in the first round of the previous year's draft by the Reds. Mesoraco had been selected out of Punxsutawney High School in Pennsylvania and was just 19 years old when he arrived at Fifth Third Field. Mesoraco was a solid addition to the Dayton lineup and a key ingredient in the Dragons run to the second round of the Midwest League playoffs that season. Playing against mostly older competition, he fit into the middle of the Dragons batting order, belting nine home runs in his 83 games with the team. Mesoraco entered the final month of the season with a .280 batting average while battling a bothersome thumb injury that caused his final average to fall to .261. Mesoraco was the starting catcher in all four Dragons playoff games and had a hit or walk in each of them.

Mesoraco reached the Major Leagues with the Reds in 2011 and is one of 10 Dragons to have played in the MLB All-Star Game. He earned that selection in 2014 when he blasted 25 home runs, usually hitting fourth in the Reds batting order for a team that also included Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, and Brandon Phillips. Mesoraco joined Johnny Bench as the only catchers in Reds history to hit at least 25 home runs and collect at least 80 RBI in a season. He also tied a club record with home runs in five consecutive games including a grand slam to close out the streak. In fact, during the streak, Mesoraco became the first player in MLB history to hit a solo home run, two-run homer, three-run homer, and grand slam, in order, over four consecutive games, resulting in his bat being sent to the National Baseball Hall-of-Fame in Cooperstown.

Despite numerous unfortunate injuries over the next few years, Mesoraco remained with the Reds into the 2018 season before being dealt to the Mets. Still only 30 years old, he is likely to add to his career achievements.

Mesoraco is the sixth former Dragons announced among the 20 Greatest Dragons. Austin Kearns, Zack Cozart, Justin Turner, Homer Bailey, and Samone Peters were previously announced.

The 20 Greatest Dragons were selected based on a media vote of Dragons television, newspaper, radio, and internet reporters. Additionally, during the 2019 season, the Dragons will be conducting a fan vote featuring one player per position to announce their all-time greatest lineup.

The Dragons will host their "20th Season Celebration Game" on Saturday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field. The game will match the 2019 Dragons ("Team 20") against a team of Dragons alumni who are still playing in the Cincinnati Reds minor league system.

Individual game tickets for the Dragons 20th Season Celebration Game are available now. Go to daytondragons.com/celebrationgame or Ticketmaster.com.

Additional information on the Dragons 20th Season celebration including videos on the 20 Greatest Dragons, special 20th Season merchandise, and Dragons alumni listings is available here: https://www.milb.com/dayton/team/20.

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics




Images from this story

Devin Mesoraco with the Dayton Dragons in 2008
Devin Mesoraco with the Dayton Dragons in 2008
   



Midwest League Stories from February 22, 2019


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