New York Yankee notes: More love for Montero
by Ed Valentine on Jan 22, 2010 11:12 AM EST
in News
25 comments
If you follow the New York Yankees minor-league system at all you know catcher Jesus Montero is the organization's prized prospect. And one of the most highly-regarded prospects in all of baseball.
John Sickels, esteemed editor of Minor League Ball, offers a glowing assessment in an excerpt from his 2010 Baseball Prospects Book.
Jesus Montero is an amazing young hitter. He has excellent power to all fields. Although not a walk machine, he controls the zone well and doesn't strike out very much for a power hitter. He hits fastballs. He hits breaking balls. You might fool him once but don't try the same trick too soon or he'll make you pay. He murdered the Florida State League to the tune of a +45 percent OPS, and he remained extremely successful in the Eastern League at +26 OPS. For now, Montero will remain behind the plate, waiting for a DH spot to open up in New York. He could also be traded, but any trade involving Montero as a centerpiece would have to be a blockbuster. I have absolutely no doubts about Montero's bat. Despite the questions about his glove, Montero rates as pure Grade A prospect. The bat is that good.
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Can't wait for Montero
The only question is whether or not he’ll catch, but it doesn’t need to be answered right now and isn’t really that important. Just like that reporter said: “The bat is THAT good”
I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.
Vince Lombardi
Damn cant wait til september call up's...
-Announcemen Forwarded To The Following: Boston Blowsox, New York Pets, Philadelphia Phonies, And Any Other Team Who Ain't The With The Empire.................
Getcha' Fuccin Rings Up........
by NYYWinsRings27 on Jan 22, 2010 1:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Remember when the Rays were a joke?
It was not long ago where 3rd in the division was a stretch for them. Oh how much changes in 2 years.
Rays seem underrated
I don’t feel that team needs “everything to go their way” for them to be a serious threat in this division.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 22, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
They're underrated
in the sense that they compete in AL East. If you moved either NYY or BOS out of the division, the Rays have just a good a shot right now at the AL Wildcard as anyone else.
However, I do feel a lot will have to go the Rays’ way in order for them to reach the playoffs and much will depend on either the fortunes of NYY or BOS. If any of their key players get hurt, we both know the two teams have the resources, while the Rays don’t, to go make a big trade. It will take a NYY or BOS collapse/big injury in Sept. (after the 7/31 trade and 8/31 waiver deadline). It is only thereafter that, IMO, the Rays have a realistic chance to make a run at the playoffs. I like the Rays and it’s too bad they play in the same division.
by Scooby Snacks on Jan 23, 2010 12:09 AM EST up reply actions
The Rays may not have the financial sources, per se
but one thing they have is a very deep farm system, if they want/need to tap some of those sources to make a big trade.
And I honestly believe that as long as the current regime is in place there, that they will contend for a playoff spot.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 23, 2010 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
It will be great to see Montero with the big club BUT
you better hope there won’t be a major need by the Yankees along with there being a major player available for that need by the trade deadline. Apparently they tried to trade him straight-up for Roy Halladay so I guess he is NOT untouchable!
Roy Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball
there are exceptions where even “untouchables” are, well, “touchable”.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 22, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
+1
Montero for Halladay would have been a great trade for the Yanks.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
If not catcher
where can he play? Tex is set for some time at 1B so catcher, platooning in 2011 with Jorge, makes most sense.
When is the last time a monster bat came from the NYY minor league system?
Cody Ransom
You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 23, 2010 7:21 PM EST up reply actions
Nick Johnson
when the blue moon shines and he’s healthy.
As a pure hitter though, Montero’s potentially the best hitter out of the Yankee system since Fred McGriff , or if you want to count someone that actually wasn’t traded… then you either say Mattingly (who didn’t have this kind of power) or … uhh… Mantle.. yeah.
DH
Jonhson has a 1 yr deal. can split time between C/DH with Posada. Keep Posada fresh and keep both in lineup
When Posada is DH, then
where does Johnson play?
And, of course, playing Cervelli nights is another reason to retain Damon…
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 23, 2010 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
Montero
He’s still never been above “A” ball. I’m not saying he might not be the next great slugger, only that he’s a long way away, and anything can happen. Injuries aside, the quality of breaking pitches and change-ups increases at every level, and more than one really good high school/ college/ fall ball/ Florida league player has hit his level of incompetence below the major league level.
He could be anything from a Posada clone to a Dave Kingman clone if he reaches the majors. I can’t see him getting any more than a visit in the dugout in September this year and a few plate appearances in 2011. Try to contain yourselves
by designatedquitter on Jan 25, 2010 3:29 PM EST reply actions
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