Jesus Montero

[THEBOSS84]

K Law:

Jeff (Brooklyn, OH): Which scenario is more likely and more valuable: Angel Villanova reaches his ceiling at 3rd, or Jesus Montero reaches his at C?

Keith Law: (2:30 PM ET ) No chance of either happening, but a catcher who hits like Montero would be a superstar.

[daneptizl]

Any position player who hits with Montero's ceiling would be a superstar. A level above that would have to be made for a catcher doing it. Montero is such a pioneer.

[Bologma!]

Wasn't it Law who trashed Montero based off of some bogus report last year?

[Buzah!]

Maybe he's Jimmy Foxx.

[CaptainCargo]

Keeping in mind that is an 18 yr old prospect expert, he is probably copying and pasting something he seen around the internet. Some of us here have been following baseball and prospects for majority of this kids life. I guess anyone with a computer and blog can be an expert these days.

[Snatch Catch]

Wasn't it Law who trashed Montero based off of some bogus report last year?

That was BA, I think. The report came from them.

[THEBOSS84]

Obviously the sample size is only 7 games, but Montero has interesting splits vs. RHP/LHP.

Entire Season AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
vs Left . 176 17 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 .222 .176 .399
vs Right .583 12 5 7 1 0 2 5 0 3 0 0 .583 1.167 1.750

[flymick24]

yeah, that won't last much longer

[flymick24]

so does montero end the year in tampa?

[Tabata]

AB: 5, R: 2, H: 2, 2B: 1, 3B: 0, HR: 0, RBI: 0, BB: 0, SO: 0, AVG: .353, OBP: .371, SLG: .588, OPS: .960, E: 0 (1) PB: 0 (1), CS: 1 (1)

Jesus Montero: Future of the Yankees
Published 3/10/2008 by Jeremy Kaufman at Bleacher Report - MLB

Many of you likely have never even heard the name Jesus Montero yet. Chances are, many of you won’t be too familiar with it for another 3 years or so. However, I have a strong belief that he will be the future of the New York Yankees. On July 2, 2006, a 16 year old catcher named Jesus Montero was signed from Venezuela for $2 million dollars. While Montero is a very strong defensive catcher, he is best known for his tremendous power. In fact, on a scale of 20 to 80 in respect to a player’s power, many scouts have already declared Montero to be an 80. Such power from a catcher combined with superior defensive skills is something that the game hasn’t seen since the likes of Johnny Bench and Josh Gibson. In short, the kid has the potential to be one of the greatest to ever play the position. Early in the spring training of 2008, at only 18 years of age, Jesus Montero hit his first home run against big league pitching. While it is highly unlikely that Montero will see Major League

Link

#4 Jesus Montero
By EJ Fagan | February 19th, 2008

Age: 18
Height: 6′4″
Weight: 225 lbs
Position: Catcher
Bats: Right

Scouting Report: He’s got power. Lots and lots of power. Depending on who you ask, he’s somewhere between Pat Burrell and Ryan Howard on the power scale. We don’t know a whole lot about his other defensive abilities, but he appears to have no major strikeout issues on the horizon, and at least is reputed to be a patient hitter. Translation? He won’t hit .260, and he should take more walks than Ivan Rodriguez. Beyond that, its all speculation. Defensively, Montero is big for a catcher, but not significantly larger than a guy like Matt Wieters. As long as he doesn’t get much larger, he should be alright. Reports are scant, but for now it looks like fans can breath a little easier compared to last year with hope that Montero will remain behind the plate.

History: The Yankees signed him last year at the age of 16. When Chase Wright was drafted, Montero was 10 years old.

This Season: Sent to the Gulf Coast League, Montero hit .280/.366/.421, with 3 HR, 6 2b, 18 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 33 games, before belting 2 HR and a double in the playoffs, which with equivalent playing time is about equal to 23 HR over a major league season. Montero then started to completely rake against the big boys in winter ball. He hit .358/.448/.630 with 14 strikeouts, 14 walks, 6 HR and 4 doubles in 23 games - 40 HR power. I couldn’t find the actual number, but Montero also nailed a ton of base runners. He missed part of the beginning of the season with an ankle injury, which could explain why he finished much stronger than he began.

Outlook and Movement: Montero is still very young - he doesn’t turn 19 until next November. Priority #1 for the Yankees has to be to continue to settle him in to catching. He’ll head to Charleston to start the year, but there is a very real possibility that he absolutely rakes and forces a quick promotion to Tampa. I’m sure the Yankees wouldn’t mind this too much, since it would open a spot for Austin Romine in low-A, and would allow them to keep Jesus closer to their coaching nexus. 2010 is the earliest that I can see him on the cusp of the majors.

Ranking: Since 2003, no catcher has hit more than 25 home runs. Only three catchers (McCann, Posada, and Barrett) have slugged .517 or higher. Montero can do both. Every year. Eric and I both have Montero at #5. He’s not really in the realm of the big 3 (Kennedy, Jackson, and Tabata) due to proximity to the majors, but he easily has a higher ceiling than any of them. The age at which his power is appearing is significant: remember that we’re all waiting for that development to occur for Jose Tabata, and he’s nearly two years older. He’s already shown 25 HR power, but that could easily double as he ages. If he remains at catcher without any injuries, there’s little doubt in my mind that Montero will top this list next year. All of that said: Jesus Montero shares a quality with Dellin Betances. He does not have to fulfill all of his potential to be a major league star. If he’s *only* a .280/.360/.480 catcher, he’s a great replacement for Jorge Posada, or if he’s *only* a .280/.360/.560 1st baseman, he will be one of the better players at his position in the game. His skillset is not entirely different from Prince Fielder at the same age.

Link

so does montero end the year in tampa?

Before the season started, most the talk was that he was going to stay in Charleston all year. But if he keeps this up, there's a real shot for sure.

[flymick24]

i like that romine and montero are sharing duties behind the plate, thus preventing either one of them from getting too worn out... but at some point, both of them are going to need to see consistent playing time at C in order to progress defensively

[Tabata]

i like that romine and montero are sharing duties behind the plate, thus preventing either one of them from getting too worn out... but at some point, both of them are going to need to see consistent playing time at C in order to progress defensively

True, I also like it. But even though they're both sharing the duties together, they're both still going to be very worn out by the end of the season since it's both their first full professional season. I'm still not very sure what's going to happen to both of them this year. Maybe Montero can finish the season out in Tampa like you said and start out at Trenton next year, and Romine can start in Tampa. But that's asking a lot from Montero. It'll be interesting to see how the Yankees work it.

[Tabata]

Wasn't it Law who trashed Montero based off of some bogus report last year?

Q: Ben from New York, NY asks:

John, Thanks for all the great work. No Jesus Montero? Is he #11? This group looks a lot more impressive than any top 10 the Yankees have had in quite some time--what's your assesment?

A: John Manuel: No on Montero. The jury was always still out on him catching, and several scouts I talked to when he signed in July thought he was a 1B. Then if he's a 1B and not a C, all the value will be in the bat, and you're projecting a 16-year-old's bat. Add to that he's got 80 raw power, yes, and they spent a lot of money, but the Yankees also removed the man (Lin Garrett) who oversaw his signing, and every report I've heard on Montero's performance at the Yankees' mini-camp (which functions as their instructional league team) has been negative. There's no guarantee that Montero even makes the top 30, frankly. All the news and rumors I've heard about him since signing are the opposite of positive, to put it politely.

BP also said somethings at the time if I recall.

[mbn007]

True, I also like it. But even though they're both sharing the duties together, they're both still going to be very worn out by the end of the season since it's both their first full professional season. I'm still not very sure what's going to happen to both of them this year. Maybe Montero can finish the season out in Tampa like you said and start out at Trenton next year, and Romine can start in Tampa. But that's asking a lot from Montero. It'll be interesting to see how the Yankees work it.

I can't see Montero, at age 19, starting 2009 in AA, no matter what. My guess is plays the whole 2009 season in Tampa, refines his Catching skills under the watchful eyes of the Yankee brass there, and then at age 20, hits AA, and starts the final leg of his journey to the Bronx, landing there sometime in 2010.

And when he gets there, he stays there.

[YASS]

I can't see Montero, at age 19, starting 2009 in AA, no matter what. My guess is plays the whole 2009 season in Tampa, refines his Catching skills under the watchful eyes of the Yankee brass there, and then at age 20, hits AA, and starts the final leg of his journey to the Bronx, landing there sometime in 2010.

And when he gets there, he stays there.

I agree with this. As long as Montero stays behind the plate, he'll be brought along slowly. If he has to move to 1B, he'll probably zoom (comparatively, at any rate).

[primetime714]

I can't see Montero, at age 19, starting 2009 in AA, no matter what. My guess is plays the whole 2009 season in Tampa, refines his Catching skills under the watchful eyes of the Yankee brass there, and then at age 20, hits AA, and starts the final leg of his journey to the Bronx, landing there sometime in 2010.

And when he gets there, he stays there.

I agree. Right now I say its likely that Romine would stay in Charleston next year with Montero going to Tampa to split those two up. Montero may get a late season callup to AA in 2009 just like he might get a late season call up to Tampe this year, but not until the end of the year.

[YASS]

I agree. Right now I say its likely that Romine would stay in Charleston next year with Montero going to Tampa to split those two up. Montero may get a late season callup to AA in 2009 just like he might get a late season call up to Tampe this year, but not until the end of the year.

If Romine has a good year and is ready to move up in '09, do you really think they'd delay his development just to separate them?

[Buzah!]

I agree. Right now I say its likely that Romine would stay in Charleston next year with Montero going to Tampa to split those two up. Montero may get a late season callup to AA in 2009 just like he might get a late season call up to Tampe this year, but not until the end of the year.

I find that scenario sort of unlikely. They'll probably both go to Tampa next year and share the position and DH again. Why would the yanks hold one or the other back.

[Steph19]

Honestly, I hope they keep them together for the sake of their knees later in their careers. They can both work on their defense without playing 150+ games at catcher every year for the next 2-4 years that they're in the minors. Once one of them (or both) get closer to the majors, this can be something to worry about.

[primetime714]

If Romine has a good year and is ready to move up in '09, do you really think they'd delay his development just to separate them?

I find that scenario sort of unlikely. They'll probably both go to Tampa next year and share the position and DH again. Why would the yanks hold one or the other back.

Well it totally depends on how Romine performs. If he does really well in Charleston they may move him up to Tampa along with Montero. However if he has an average or below average year I could definitely see them keeping him in Charleston next year.

One of my main reasons for thinking that Romine might start next year in Charleston would be the fact that many thought we were pushing it by starting him off this high to begin with, but we wanted to get him into full season ball right away. He very easily could've been scheduled for Staten Island this year and then Charleston next year if we took a less aggressive approach.

Overall though keeping a guy in mid A vs high A isn't a huge difference. Look at Jackson last year he did much better in Tampa than he did in Charleston.

Plus I think that its possible that Romine will start 2009 in Charleston where he can catch on a more everyday basis allowing Montero to catch on a more everyday basis in Tampa. Later on in the year when we don't want them both catching everyday it makes sense to call up Romine to Tampa and then they can split time and limit wear and tear.

I know all of us want to see our prospects move as quickly as possible but when you think about this might be the best option for both Romine's and Montero's development.

[YASS]

Well it totally depends on how Romine performs. If he does really well in Charleston they may move him up to Tampa along with Montero. However if he has an average or below average year I could definitely see them keeping him in Charleston next year.

One of my main reasons for thinking that Romine might start next year in Charleston would be the fact that many thought we were pushing it by starting him off this high to begin with, but we wanted to get him into full season ball right away. He very easily could've been scheduled for Staten Island this year and then Charleston next year if we took a less aggressive approach.

Overall though keeping a guy in mid A vs high A isn't a huge difference. Look at Jackson last year he did much better in Tampa than he did in Charleston.

Plus I think that its possible that Romine will start 2009 in Charleston where he can catch on a more everyday basis allowing Montero to catch on a more everyday basis in Tampa. Later on in the year when we don't want them both catching everyday it makes sense to call up Romine to Tampa and then they can split time and limit wear and tear.

I know all of us want to see our prospects move as quickly as possible but when you think about this might be the best option for both Romine's and Montero's development.

Generally speaking, repeating Low A is the mark of a suspect prospect. My view is that a player's promotion should depend entirely on his performance. In the real world, roster considerations can and do play a role, but that never happens without impeding the development of the player left behind.

[primetime714]

Generally speaking, repeating Low A is the mark of a suspect prospect.

That's a stretch plenty of good prospects have repeated Low A. Just because a guy can benefit from additional time at a level doesn't mean he is a suspect prospect. In the case of Romine I don't think a guy straight out of high school would be deemed a "suspect prospect" for spending more than a year in Low A. Plus as I mentioned earlier the difference between Low A and High A isn't that great. A guy that spends additional time in Low A often needs less time in High A.

My view is that a player's promotion should depend entirely on his performance. In the real world, roster considerations can and do play a role, but that never happens without impeding the development of the player left behind.

I agree and if Romine earns that promotion by having a great year by all means figure a way to work things out with the both of them in Tampa. However if he has maybe only an average year the roster considerations could definitely play a role.

Overall I'm in favor of doing what is best for the development of both these guys. I'll trust whatever the organization decides to do and its a long way away from when they'll have to make that decision. However depending on the types of years both of these guys have I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them starting the year in Tampa and the other starting the year in Charleston again with both of them in Tampa toward the middle to end of the year.

[Yankees1962]

I don't think Romine necessarily has to have a great year to get promoted next season to Tampa because what we don't know is whether the Yankees prefer to keep these guys together through "A" ball or not? Furthermore is the type of year both young catchers have behind the plate comes into play here. As stated, it's much too early in the season to speculate right now.

[Skars]

There is absolutely no way that they keep Romine or Montero in A ball if they both hit reasonably well this year. It's not damning if a prospect repeats a level, but this only occurs if they don't hit much. If both hit they'll move up to Tampa and have similar arrangements to this season in Charleston. At that point, if they're both hitting and look on track to make a major league impact, that would be the time when they might decide to relegate one or the other to 1B/DH duty more of the time

[Yankyfan]

There is absolutely no way that they keep Romine or Montero in A ball if they both hit reasonably well this year. It's not damning if a prospect repeats a level, but this only occurs if they don't hit much. If both hit they'll move up to Tampa and have similar arrangements to this season in Charleston. At that point, if they're both hitting and look on track to make a major league impact, that would be the time when they might decide to relegate one or the other to 1B/DH duty more of the time

Do you mean AA as in Trenton or are you calling A ball the GCL.?

[Skars]

i mean right now theyre in A ball as in Charleston. Next year after they spend a full season at Tampa and are headed for Trenton in 2010, they should make a judgement who is going to be the catcher going forward

[BBombers85]

Jesus walks, with me with me with me with me.

[Yankees1962]

By the time, both of them gets to "AA" ball I think the Yankees will have a good idea which of them will be their future catcher.

[Yankyfan]

Who ever it is ,its a nice problem to have.

[Tabata]

AB: 4, R: 1, H: 2, 2B: 1, 3B: 0, HR: 0, RBI: 4, BB: 1, SO: 0, AVG: .368 .OBP: .400, SLG: .605, OPS: .1005, E: 0 (1) PB: 0 (1), CB: 0 (1)

OPS over .1000, says it all really. All of his RBI's were 2-out ones by the way.

[ArodMVP217]

we could use some 2-out rbis right now

[primetime714]

By the time, both of them gets to "AA" ball I think the Yankees will have a good idea which of them will be their future catcher.

They'll have a better idea, but how can you say that they'll have a "good" idea of who their future catcher is by the time their two top prospects in the system get to only AA. Its more likely that they won't know until they're on the cusp of the majors and even then who knows.

The only thing I think they'll have a good idea of in terms of the future of their C position anytime soon is whether or not Montero will be able to stay at the position.

[flymick24]

clutch

[Buzah!]

Romine is coming on, too. Now we just have to get Abe Almonte restarted.

[Yankees1962]

They'll have a better idea, but how can you say that they'll have a "good" idea of who their future catcher is by the time their two top prospects in the system get to only AA. Its more likely that they won't know until they're on the cusp of the majors and even then who knows.

The only thing I think they'll have a good idea of in terms of the future of their C position anytime soon is whether or not Montero will be able to stay at the position.

Have it your way.

However, if Montero is playing another position and Romine is still catching and doing well in AA then it's my opinion that the Yankees will have a good idea who's going to be their future catcher. I did use the word "good" and not the word "definitely". Just to be argumentative over my use of a word "good" is rather silly to me.

[Tabata]

AB: 5, R: 0, H: 1, 2B: 1, 3B: 0, HR: 0, RBI: 1, BB: 0, SO: 1, AVG: .349 .OBP: .378, SLG: .581, OPS: .959, E: 0 (1) PB: 0 (1), CB: 0 (1), PB 2 (3)

YANKEES INSIDER

Rivalry set to heat up
Kat O'Brien | kat.o'brien@newsday.com
April 11, 2008

Jesus Montero caught the attention of more than a few people during spring training. The 19-year-old catcher was in major-league camp long enough to make an impression on Joe Girardi and Jorge Posada, among others, as well as to hit a home run in a big-league exhibition game.

"He caught and threw well," Yankees senior vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman said. "He's got big-time offensive potential, and he's come a long way behind the plate."

Montero made his professional debut last year with the Gulf Coast League Yankees. He played in 33 games, batting .280 with three homers and 19 RBIs. Baseball America rated him the best power hitter in the Yankees' system.

Montero, who is 6-4 and 225 pounds, jumped up to Class-A Charleston in the South Atlantic League this year. Through seven games, he had nearly matched his home run total from last year with two. He was hitting .345 with five RBIs and seven runs scored.

Although offense is Montero's calling card, the Yankees feel confident that he will be good enough defensively to stay behind the plate.

"He's flexible, and he receives the ball well," Newman said. "He was really impressive this spring."

Link.

[ArodMVP217]

would anyone be opposed to take a page out of cleveland's book and use montero as catcher and every fifth day have him play first or DH (pending if we get our 1B situation fixed; 51 xbh from first is putrid), and one pitcher will have cervelli or romine or whomever as a personal catcher like Byrd&Shopach for the tribe

this way, there is a better chance that Jesus would make it through a whole season without much damage, theoretically

[Yankees1962]

would anyone be opposed to take a page out of cleveland's book and use montero as catcher and every fifth day have him play first or DH (pending if we get our 1B situation fixed; 51 xbh from first is putrid), and one pitcher will have cervelli or romine or whomever as a personal catcher like Byrd&Shopach for the tribe

this way, there is a better chance that Jesus would make it through a whole season without much damage, theoretically

It's too far out for me to agree or disagree with that future scenario.

[b_joseph]

Link.

I dont know why but it always annoys me when media outlets get a players age wrong.

[ArodMVP217]

It's too far out for me to agree or disagree with that future scenario.

true, pure specualtion right now, i forgot to say that

[ArodMVP217]

I can't see Montero, at age 19, starting 2009 in AA, no matter what. My guess is plays the whole 2009 season in Tampa, refines his Catching skills under the watchful eyes of the Yankee brass there, and then at age 20, hits AA, and starts the final leg of his journey to the Bronx, landing there sometime in 2010.

And when he gets there, he stays there.

a question in regards to this; if a player stays at the same level for a year and improves his stats, both FPCT and OPS for example, can we deduct with certainty that he has improved

[ICEBERG18]

If this keeps up, the Rome Braves will have nightmares about Jesus Montero.

For the second straight night, the Charleston RiverDogs catcher delivered the decisive hit down the left-field line. He drove in pinch-runner Carmen Angelini from second base to end the game in the 11th inning for a 4-3 victory over the Braves on Saturday in front of a Riley Park crowd of 3,876.

'I just tried to do the best possible to make it work out,' he said.

He's making a habit of putting an end to the Braves. Montero was responsible for the go-ahead hit that scored four runs in Friday's 7-6 win.

The South Atlantic League-leading RiverDogs improved to 9-1 with their fifth straight victory.

It was the only hit of the game for the New York Yankees' prized prospect, but few of his outs were easy.

'He smoked a ball to third that was caught, he smoked a ball to the wall and another to the wall. He's swinging a hot bat,' Charleston manager Torre Tyson said. 'That's the fourth ball he hit well even though he didn't have much to show for it.'


http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/apr/13/montero_strikes_again/

[Tabata]

'He smoked a ball to third that was caught, he smoked a ball to the wall and another to the wall. He's swinging a hot bat,' Charleston manager Torre Tyson said. 'That's the fourth ball he hit well even though he didn't have much to show for it.

Both those balls were to right field too.

[Fabien Brandy]

I'm convinced that Montero is the next Mike Piazza, with better defense.

[Buzah!]

on the ball he hit to right in the 9th, the announcer thought it was gone and he was going nuts. The wind has knocked down a few hits by Montero, Laird and Wady over the last few games.

[ngruz25]

I'm convinced that Montero is the next Mike Piazza, with better defense.

He's the greatest offensive catcher of all-time? With better defense?

[Fabien Brandy]

He's the greatest offensive catcher of all-time? With better defense?

The next.

[27IsNext]

So like, any chance he sticks behind the plate?

[nnysiny]

I'm convinced that Montero is the next Mike Piazza, with better defense.

woah, lets not go nuts. we dont even know if hes a real catcher yet, let alone a first ballot HoFer

[mbn007]

If this keeps up, the Rome Braves will have nightmares about Jesus Montero.

For the second straight night, the Charleston RiverDogs catcher delivered the decisive hit down the left-field line. He drove in pinch-runner Carmen Angelini from second base to end the game in the 11th inning for a 4-3 victory over the Braves on Saturday in front of a Riley Park crowd of 3,876.

'I just tried to do the best possible to make it work out,' he said.

He's making a habit of putting an end to the Braves. Montero was responsible for the go-ahead hit that scored four runs in Friday's 7-6 win.

The South Atlantic League-leading RiverDogs improved to 9-1 with their fifth straight victory.

It was the only hit of the game for the New York Yankees' prized prospect, but few of his outs were easy.

'He smoked a ball to third that was caught, he smoked a ball to the wall and another to the wall. He's swinging a hot bat,' Charleston manager Torre Tyson said. 'That's the fourth ball he hit well even though he didn't have much to show for it.'


http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/...strikes_again/

Charleston is 10-1, and they play Rome again today. That means that 8 of the first 12 were against the same opponent.

Seems a bit off to me, the way this schedule has opened up.