Marc Carig (Star-Ledger) has a nice piece out on mega-prospect, Jesus Montero. Montero is well-known for his offensive capabilities, however, he has been working diligently on his defense — a part of his game that isn’t too far a long — as he tries to remain behind the plate. His ultimate goal is not to be a DH or a first baseman — that’s for sure.
“I’ve been doing really well, been learning a lot,” said Montero, who will start the season in the Florida State League with high Class-A Tampa. “I know more than last year. Last year was learning, learning, learning. This year, it’s more, more, more. I want to play there. I want to catch in the big leagues.”
Though many don’t think he’ll last back there (he is 6’4” and 225 lbs.), if he can become passable, defensively, then the Yankees won’t hesitate to keep him behind the plate. In fact, Brian Cashman was quick to support Montero and note the team’s commitment to him specifically as a catcher.
“Without question, he is significantly improved this year as opposed to last year,” Cashman said. “To the point that we don’t really doubt he’s going to be a catcher in the big leagues.”
The Yankees’ have also shown an implicit and unspoken commitment to Montero the catcher — not Montero the first baseman — by signing Mark Teixeira to a long-term deal. Basically, as I see it, Montero will catch when Jorge Posada is done. It’ll be similar to the Posada days, actually — all offense, poor defense. Montero is a valuable player, but the Yankees know that his value is inherently linked to how often he can sit behind the plate and receive pitches. As long as he doesn’t totally outgrow the position, it’s his.
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7 Responses to Montero hopes to make catching his career
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TIQ IQ
I wonder what they would do if Romine and Montero are both MLB caliber catchers. Montero could be moved to another position not because of himself but bc of Romine.
I would love for Romine to end up being a very good catcher which would allow Montero to DH fulltime and be an absolute BEAST.
It could happen.
Huge story, if Cash is serious – good pickup, Chris. I wonder if Cash is just posturing, trying to raise his trade value?
Thanks Tom. I don’t think they’ll consider trading Montero. However, I do think Cashman is acknowledging the fact that he has been putting work in and has been trying to better himself, defensively. Maybe Cashman thinks that expressing confidence in one’s abilities can succeed in motivating them.
In reality, Romine is a much better; defencive catcher, athletic player and his hitting is not that far behind Montero (not the power though)…at this time anyhow. It isn’t a ridiculous projection for the Yankees to replicate the play of Montero/Romine as a tandem all the way to the Show. After-all, just as; Joe G./Posada, Yogi/Howard, Stanly/”King” were tag teams, why not them?
Understand the difference with the other cases were, one vet, and one rookie (more or less).
I think Old Ranger nailed it. There have been other tandems like that on other teams-Smoky Burgess and at least a couple of accomplices come to mind. Lombardi also caught in tandem with some other good catchers and on some pretty good teams (and there’s no way Montero is going to be worse defensively than Lombardi was.)