The Cincinnati Reds seem to have a surplus of catching available to them. Most recently, Devin Mesoraco, their 2007 Draft Pick, has caused a few ripples in the organization. While playing behind Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan on the depth chart, Mesoraco is making it known that he’s gunning for a position in the big leagues, and it may be difficult for the Reds to deny him that right for much longer.

Mesoraco has been a high-upside catching prospect for the last four seasons in the minor leagues. He spent a year each at Rookie Ball, Class-A and Class-A+ before moving from Class-A+ through to Triple-A all in 2010; a year in which he found power in his swing as he hit 26 home runs overall. In his three previous seasons, he totaled 18. It’s that kind of power that’s suddenly turning heads in his direction.

Catchers tend to take longer than other position players to develop in the minors. They have a lot more to learn about the defensive aspects of the game and how to handle a pitching staff. Mesoraco has taken well to all that he’s learned. Now in his third Spring Training camp with the Reds, he’s also learned many of the pitchers in the Reds system and caught most of them, including some big leaguers.

There’s still much room for improvement in Mesoraco. With only 14 games in Triple-A under his belt, he’ll almost certainly start his 2011 campaign with the Louisville Bats. He’ll work not only on bettering his power numbers, but he’ll also have to cut back on his passed balls. He had 13 last year. If he can do both those things, he’ll basically force the Reds to make a September call-up out of him.