[image title="montero" size="full" id="4035" align="right" ]Mike at RAB has the scoop
. Jesus Montero is probably headed to Trenton, and will play there before the weekend.
Jesus Montero went 2 for 4 tonight. If this was his last game at Double-A, Montero’s record will show a pretty little .356/.406/.583 batting line. He struck out just 26 times in 48 games. Montero leaves the Florida State league as the leader in batting average, slugging percentage, total bases, and OPS.
Copying Beethoven dvd Montero will enter a much different environment when he hits Double-A. The hot, humid nights in Florida will be replaced with a cool wind off the Delaware River in Trenton. At 19 years old, he will a full two years younger than any one of his teammates. A whole new set of challenges will come as Montero sees more advanced pitches. Pitchers will have better stuff and fewer restrictions on what they are allowed to throw. If Montero holds his own against Double-A pitching, he’ll rocket up the league-wide prospect charts.
Best of all, this move sets Montero up (potentially) for a late 2010 MLB debut. He’ll be just 20 years old.
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5 Responses to Montero to Trenton?
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TIQ IQ
i hope he improves defensively so he can stay at a more valuable position.
If he stays at catcher we are looking at our very own Brian McCann who was a full time starter for braves at 21… If moved to LF we are looking at Matt Holliday type (.300 hitter 30 HRs and 100+rbi)
Hey EJ -
While his bat seems to be clearly ready for promotion, do you think it is telling that Montero is being promoted while still learning/struggling as a catcher (this is my impression from anecdotal accounts of his defensive play here and elsewhere). You must be optimistically projecting the 2010 MLB debut as part of a position change? Do you think he could realistically catch in the bigs so soon?
The Yankees have never said anything even slightly doubting Montero as a catcher. They have never discussed a position switch, or his defensive shortcomings. Everyone observing from outside the organization has said that he’ll never stick at catcher. I’m inclined to believe that the Yankees at least believe that he can catch.
This promotion is all about the bat. You can learn how to throw runners out and block balls at any level. And he won’t have to share time with Austine Romine. Double-A isn’t just the hardest level to adjust to, but its also the one that takes the most time. They are giving Montero a head start at the level.
Thanks for the reply – I find the timing and decision-making on promotions very interesting. The extra catching time for him at the higher level vs. splitting with AR is a positive for both I hadn’t thought of!
JOK