Jesus is coming to New Jersey
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 03, 2009 
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Here’s some interesting news, the Yankees have decided to promote 20-year-old catcher Jesus Montero to Double-A Trenton.
Our pal Mike Ashmore has the news on Thunder Thoughts.
Montero had a monster start for Single-A Tampa, hitting .356 with a .406 OBP and a .989 slugging percentage. He had eight homers and 37 RBI over 48 games.
This move makes sense on assorted fronts. With Jose Molina unlikely to come back any time soon, Francisco Cervelli will remain in the big leagues. That leaves an opening in Trenton for Montero. Plus it gives Austin Romine a chance to catch every day in Tampa.
Montero is going to play in the big leagues because of his bat. The only question is whether he’s a catcher, a first baseman or a DH. He has what the scouts like to call light-tower power and the plate discipline of a much older player.
Do yourself a favor and get over to Waterfront Park to see the Thunder. In a few years, you’ll be able to say that you saw Montero before everybody knew who he was. Because everybody is going to know who this guy is eventually.
Correction: .583 slugging percentage, .989 OPS.
.989 slugging would be SICK.
Thank you Peter for the update on Montero.
You have convinced to catch a game or two when the Thunder come up to play the Portland Seadogs.
Couldn’t they have waited a couple of days? I was going to Jupiter tomorrow to see him play.
Oh well, I’ll go to check out Romine.
Good luck to Jesus.
“Melky Cabrera’s defensive matrix is the best of any major league center fielder” – Peter Gammons
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/notebook?page=bbtn
I saw him in person at the Futures Game last year, the guy is 1) enormous 2) seemed to take in the stadium. he was lookin around a lot
““Melky Cabrera’s defensive matrix is the best of any major league center fielder” – Peter Gammons”
Franklin Gutierrez and Carlos Gomez have been better this year, but I’m frankly surprised that no one else in the AL is. Wow.
He’s been as good as BJ Upton in 2009.
“Franklin Gutierrez and Carlos Gomez have been better this year, but I’m frankly surprised that no one else in the AL is. Wow.
He’s been as good as BJ Upton in 2009.”
Add in the NL, and Colby Rasmus has also been better.
Thanks for the update Pete. Montero’s bat is so advanced right now it’s crazy. He’s 19 and I bet you he could hit major league pitching today. I just hope this move isn’t premature. There are no stats for defense (in the minors I don’t think people keep track of UZR
) so we don’t really know how he’s doing behind the plate. Part of the reason Montero is such an exciting prospect is his ability to catch. I really hope he can stick there.
If he does well in AA he could make a big league appearance next year at age 20. Impressive!
“Thanks for the update Pete. Montero’s bat is so advanced right now it’s crazy. He’s 19 and I bet you he could hit major league pitching today. I just hope this move isn’t premature. There are no stats for defense (in the minors I don’t think people keep track of UZR ) so we don’t really know how he’s doing behind the plate. Part of the reason Montero is such an exciting prospect is his ability to catch. I really hope he can stick there.”
UZR is useless for catchers
He’s not been great at preventing SBs, though I have no clue about Passed Balls and the like.
WOW! This is kind of a very unlikely move by the Yanks. They have got to be super high on Montero as they don’t usually make a move like this with their young players. But, hey, great for Montero and the Trenton fans. Hit some BOMBS in Trenton.
From what I’ve been reading about this guy, he will hit his way to the majors within 2 years.
Now will he be able to catch at at the major league level in 2 years? Let’s hope so…
It doesn’t make much sence to have a 21 or 22 year old DH.
Georgie, Alex, and Derek will be taking their turns at DH in the coming years.
Have tickets to the June 13th game. Can’t wait to see him for myself!
Going from A to AA isn’t going to hurt his development as a catcher.
The Eastern League is a pitchers league. Sometimes, handling better pitchers can make a catcher better.
While he’s a work in progress defensively, its not like he is awful back there.
His bat is so advanced, his defense is always going to pale in comparison.
The Yankees have been very aggressive with their promotions the last few years.
Chamberlain and Kennedy rocketed through the system.
Austin Jackson was once promoted from Charleston to Tampa when he was only hitting .250. It completely changed his career path and put it in a positive direction.
Zach McAllister and DJ Mitchell have also been aggressively promoted through the system.
I like the philosophy because it keeps all of young guys on their toes in the minors.
They see that the parent club has no problems promoting aggressively through the system if they show the organization they can play.
Its also a great selling point to draft eligible and undrafted Latin American players.
Duh! Actually I did see him play last summer against the Lakewood Blue Claws.
Well, I get to see him again for myself!
UZR is useless for catchers
I know, it was a joke dude. Just trying to make a point that usually fans pay attention to how well prospects hit but you hear nothing about defense. Especially when it comes to catchers. I also haven’t heard anything from recent scouting reports on his defense.
The only somewhat recent news I heard was that GB7 went to some games last year and said Montero looked more advanced behind the plate than Romine.
Peter Gammons writing something positive about the Yankees?
Holy Cow!
What? he didn’t even make any comment about the new stadium?
I can’t stand Peter Gammons and his Red Sox!
He is the reason I can’t watch Baseball Tonight most nights.
SJ44
The Yankees are showing a nice change in Philosophy. Only a few short years ago, kids in the minors never thought they had a shot at the big club. They thought they’d be traded. now they are seeing they have a chance to play here.
Jesus Montero: .356/.406/.583 at 19 in High-A
Miguel Cabrera: .274/.333/.421 at 19 in High-A (his 20 year old AA season was an insane .365/.429/.609 though)
Albert Pujols: .324/.389/.565 at 20 in A. He went .284/.341/.481 in High-A in 21 games.
Vladimir Guerrero: .363/.388/.650 at 21 in High-A.
Just decided to put his numbers into a little context
(of course, then you have ARod’s .311/.359/.588 at AAA at 18 years old, damn).
“He’s not been great at preventing SBs, though I have no clue about Passed Balls and the like.”
He’s caught in 26 games. 3 passed balls and two errors. Would be basestealers were 56 for 64 (87%) while he was catching.
By comparison, it seems Romine was a little sloppier behind the plate (5 PB’s, 4 errors in 22 games caught) but more successful slowing down the running game throwing out 15 of 42 (36%) runners.
SJ,
I like the fact that the Yankees are aggressive with their prospects. If you play well you get promoted, gotta love that.
The only reason I was wondering about hurting Montero’s development was because I was led to believe that most of the Yankees instructors are in Tampa. Thus it would be easier for him to learn catching skills if he stays there. I don’t know if this is true at all.
This is going to be a big test for Montero, the biggest jump in the minors is between A and AA. Huge gap in talent level and AA is where the majority of the big time prospects play. I wouldn’t be surprised if Montero struggles for awhile but I’m hoping for the best.
Jennifer,
Exactly. I know it was one of the selling points the Yankees talked about when they met with Tony.
He worked out for the Yankees last summer and they talked about their change in philosophy.
Hey, this frees up a spot for a catcher at the lower A level! lol
Seriously though, its a great change in organizational philosophy. It gives the players the belief they can progress and play with the Yankees.
posada is done in after the 2011 season i believe.no big deal there.
montero will be approx 22 yrs old.
arod,jeter is another thing.
jeters contract is up after the 2010 season.who know there.
if montero can’t catch then he can’t catch.
the yankees will give him every chance as a catcher.
if we are set at the catching position & montero has no spot he can bring something nice back in a trade.
time will tell.
“He’s caught in 26 games. 3 passed balls and two errors. Would be basestealers were 56 for 64 (87%) while he was catching.
By comparison, it seems Romine was a little sloppier behind the plate (5 PB’s, 4 errors in 22 games caught) but more successful slowing down the running game throwing out 15 of 42 (36%) runners.”
Damn, 13% is bad, though I recall hearing that Russell Martin was that bad when he was young, so there’s still hopes he develops into the position. Remember – Posada was playing 2B with a .235/.388/.359 in Low-A at 19 years old.
Montero is 19 years old Pete
He doesn’t turn 20 until November
“Jennifer,
Exactly. I know it was one of the selling points the Yankees talked about when they met with Tony.
He worked out for the Yankees last summer and they talked about their change in philosophy.
Hey, this frees up a spot for a catcher at the lower A level! lol
Seriously though, its a great change in organizational philosophy. It gives the players the belief they can progress and play with the Yankees.”
I have to wonder if Kyle Higashioka’s going to Charleston, or if he’s ticketed for short-season ball.
Patrick,
The Trenton staff is a good one. Tony Franklin does as good a job as anybody to get kids to play the game the right way and get them ready for the majors.
I’m not so worried about his glove because he’s never going to be a Gold Glove catcher. I’m fascinated to see how he handles AA pitching.
If he continues to hit the way he is hitting, he’s going to be in the majors sooner rather than later.
Guys with his bat don’t stay in the minors for a long time. Especially when they are only 19 years old.
I remember when the Marlins called up Miguel Cabrera. They literally had no place to play him yet, called him up because of his bat.
He helped them win the World Series in 2003.
It wouldn’t shock me to see Jesus with the big club by this time next year.
“Remember – Posada was playing 2B with a .235/.388/.359 in Low-A at 19 years old.”
Wow that’s crazy, thanks for mentioning this. That should be a wake up call for people that expect young prospects to do well immediately.
Hey SJ44, any updates on your nephew? You don’t have to reveal anything but have any teams said they are planning to draft him?
That question came out the wrong way. I know a ton of teams have interest in Tony but have any said “If you are still on the board at our spot we are drafting you.” ?
“It wouldn’t shock me to see Jesus with the big club by this time next year.”
Wow bold statement, I hope you’re right. We will need a DH next year and he could help out there.
“Seriously though, its a great change in organizational philosophy. It gives the players the belief they can progress and play with the Yankees.”
Oh, and I have to wonder if Cano was the start of the change in philosophy.
.333/.368/.574 line in AAA when Womack was sucking it up in the majors when they called him up.
You can’t go by stats when assessing his throwing skills.
You don’t know how those bases were stolen.
At the minor league level, most SB are on the pitcher because they don’t hold runners well.
He doesn’t have as good an arm as Romine. Romine has a very good arm.
That said, the kid is not a stiff behind the plate. He’s huge, which works against him in a lot of ways. However, he’s better than a lot of the catchers I’ve seen in the minors the past few years.
“That said, the kid is not a stiff behind the plate. He’s huge, which works against him in a lot of ways. However, he’s better than a lot of the catchers I’ve seen in the minors the past few years.”
I’ll take your word for it!
And heck, if worst comes to worst and he can’t stick at catcher long-term, it never hurts to have a third catcher in the majors, even if he’s normally playing LF/1B/DH.
I guys like Jackson and Montero continue to develop and produce at this rat than we can forget about signing Damon, Matsui, etc.
sj-
mischievous question.
who’s better defensively at this point in time
tony sanchez or jesus montero?
My company gives out Thunder tickets for free…I may have to take few tix off their hands to see this guy.
““That said, the kid is not a stiff behind the plate. He’s huge, which works against him in a lot of ways. However, he’s better than a lot of the catchers I’ve seen in the minors the past few years.”
It also matters a LOT that he really WANTS to stick at C.
I bet he gets called up when rosters expand in Sept. I believe he is the crown jewel of the system at the current time.
Patrick,
He’s on his way to KC right now for a workout tomorrow. They draft #12 and are very interested in him.
We are still dancin’ the dance with the Pirates. Nothing really new on that front. He is in their final 3 for pick #4. The slot number, and whose interpretation of what that slot number is (ours or the Pirates) will probably determine what happens there. We will probably have a better idea of their plans later in the week.
The usual cast of characters are still around: Tampa, Toronto, the Yankees, Seattle and Colorado.
The Red Sox? I think they will take a kid by the name of David Renfroe from Mississippi. He’s a HS SS who projects to be an OF.
The Yankees also love him. If Boston ever had a change of course, I think the Yankees would take Renfroe. As of today though, its unlikely the Red Sox pass on Renfroe if he is still there when they pick.
Today is also the day they announce the three finalists for the Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the best college catcher in the country. I’m hoping he makes the cut, we’ll see.
When was the last time the Yankees had an hitting prospect like Montero?
Considering the lack of good/decent catchers around the league. It is nice to see we have a few down the pipe.
I hope the Yankees can pick up an advanced position prospect this draft. It’s nice to have players to look forward to and finally there are some big time prospects in the Yankee system are advancing.
Jackson and Melancon are in AAA, Montero and McAllister are in AA, Romine and Betances in high A and finally Brackman in low-A.
“I bet he gets called up when rosters expand in Sept. I believe he is the crown jewel of the system at the current time.”
I doubt it, only because the Yankees will need the 40 man roster spot to prevent a rule-5 pick, probably.
Randy,
Honestly, Tony is better defensively than any of the catchers in the Yankees system right now. He’s better defensively than most of the catchers in the minors.
That’s not just me talking. That’s from just about every scout and farm director who has seen him this year.
The head of MLB Scouting said on the MLB Network last night that Tony could play in the majors right now defensively. That’s how much people in the game admire his defensive skills.
He’s not in Montero’s league with the bat. Few are, because he’s that advanced offensively.
Its not a stretch to say he’s at a Miguel Cabrera level of advancement at his age with the bat. The fact that he is doing it as a catcher, regardless of his defensive skills, is even more impressive.
He’s the real deal as far as a prospect. He’s going to be a successful hitter at the major league level.
I’m still not sure if he stays as a catcher. However, he’s going to make a lot of money in his career with his bat. Its really, really advanced for a kid his age.
I think I’ve read he’s slow transfering the ball on stolen bases. You’d think that someone with his presumed bat speed/hand-eye-coordination could improve upon that.
But yeah, if he succeeds at AA, that ups his pace to a potential 2011 (full-time) arrival, at the ripe old age of 21.
When was the last time the Yankees had an hitting prospect like Montero?
Nick the Stick.
“I hope the Yankees can pick up an advanced position prospect this draft. It’s nice to have players to look forward to and finally there are some big time prospects in the Yankee system are advancing.
Jackson and Melancon are in AAA, Montero and McAllister are in AA, Romine and Betances in high A and finally Brackman in low-A.”
This draft does not have many advanced position prospects, at all. It’s a VERY heavy pitching draft, and you can’t avoid taking a Purke or Scheppers (I’m hearing both could slip past the 1st due to bonus demands!!) to take a ‘safe’ pick.
I do hear that the Yankees really like Heathcott, but he’s a really raw box of tools.
SJ44,
Exciting times! It’d be nice if he was drafted as early as #4 but I’m not too sure about the Pirates system. They seem to be pretty inept.
As much as I hate to say it, seems like the Red Sox would be a good fit. They are in dire need of catchers and considering Tony is a college prospect he could move quickly through their system. They are also a really well run organization.
“Exciting times! It’d be nice if he was drafted as early as #4 but I’m not too sure about the Pirates system. They seem to be pretty inept.”
They HAVE been very inept, but the new organization is much better than the previous.
Ah the 40 man rears it’s ugly head again, good point Someone Else.
Zach MacAllister won EL pitcher of the week. So who’s better? Betances or MacAllister?
“This draft does not have many advanced position prospects, at all.”
Bummer.
“Ah the 40 man rears it’s ugly head again, good point Someone Else.”
That said, if he puts up a .300/.400/.500 line or better at AAA, you have to consider it. Montero’s worth more than protecting a Claggett or the like from the Rule-V.
I can’t imagine a great prospect like that would fall to the Red Sox, unless of course, Tony is choosing Boras as his agent. Has he made a decision on that front, or do you have to wait until you declare for the draft?
“They HAVE been very inept, but the new organization is much better than the previous.”
I’ll believe it when I see it
interesting bit of info from Joe and Evan. Nick Swisher was involved in a brawl with Padia (sp). Joe would not confirm it, nor would he confirm that he was sat because of it. More than likely it was because of his BA.
“That said, if he puts up a .300/.400/.500 line or better at AAA, you have to consider it. Montero’s worth more than protecting a Claggett or the like from the Rule-V.”
Er, AA. Lol.
When was the last time the Yankees had an hitting prospect like Montero?
=========================
Probably Nick Johnson in terms of overall approach (though he had ridiculous plate discipline).
Power-wise combined with approach?
Never?
Jesus MANCHILD Montero!
Zach MacAllister won EL pitcher of the week. So who’s better? Betances or MacAllister?
====================
Betances much higher ceiling. McAllister much more polish at this point.
On September 16, Swisher initiated a brawl when he charged the mound after getting hit by a pitch from Texas Rangers pitcher Vicente Padilla. Earlier in the plate appearance, Padilla (who had hit Swisher the prior year) threw two inside pitches with the apparent intention of hitting Swisher. Both players were ejected following the brawl.[6]
found this on wiki
http://www.monstersandcritics......ngers_game
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c.....eat17.html
When was the last time the Yankees had an hitting prospect like Montero?
I recall a few,Ron Blomberg,Tony Soliata(sp)Roger Repoz,Frank Lega,Rusty Torres,and assorted others.Oh,and a fellow from Oklahoma,back in the 50′s….names escapes me now!
does expanding to the 40 man roster mean that outside of the 25 man roster the yankees have to add 15 players to protect from the rule v ??
just heard sterlings call on matsuis hr.
what a disaster.
very awkward.
get rid of him.
“As much as I hate to say it, seems like the Red Sox would be a good fit.”
patrick-
nooooooooo! tony is not ugly, nor does he have a big mouth or a bad attitude or is he stupid like some prominent red sox players( like papelbon) who shall remain nameless.
he wouldn’t fit in there at all.
of course it would get sj44 in as a counter espionage scout …
Hey this is stupid, but I don’t get when people write out “Double A” (or “Triple A” and “Single A” for that matter- Isn’t “AA” just as good if not better in text? The reader still gets what’s going on and you (the writer) just saved yourself a nanosecond. You wouldn’t write out NC-Double-A when talking about March Madness, right?
Best Yankees blog on the planet, btw.
If some of you are interested, I will be able to talk more about the entire draft process after the draft.
Not really seeing the Red Sox for Tony right now. Unless Renfroe comes off the board earlier, unlikely due to signability issues and many of the teams picking above the Red Sox are going for pitching, he’s probably their first choice.
After next Tuesday, I have no problems sharing what’s happening, why decisions get made, etc.
The Baseball Draft is a fascinating experience. You really get a feel for which organizations are good organizations, which are so so, and which are bad.
As far as Tony is concerned, the biggest asset he has is his character. I’ve had 8 GM’s, 11 farm directors and just about every scout who has talked to him tell me he is one of the finest people they have ever met while scouting talent.
While that is gratifying to hear on a personal level, it also has real effect on his draft position.
As you get closer to making the call on your pick, character does matter. That’s why I think the Pirates have to think long and hard at #4.
Do you pass on the safest pick for your team, a stable, mature college catcher (for an organization that has no catchers) over money? That’s the big question folks who make these picks have to answer about players. Its not an easy call.
All in all, its pretty exciting times. Just got to sit back and wait it out a little longer.
Padilla is one of the most disliked guys in the game. I don’t know a player that doesn’t hate him.
I wasn’t surprised he started something last night. That’s his MO. Once he gets knocked around, he starts hitting guys.
When he was with the Phillies, Pat Burrell almost punched him out because he was tired of getting thrown at after Padilla would drill somebody.
The guy is just a bad guy and a bad teammate.
sj44-
i think most of us are extremely interested and i for one appreciate the inside info on tony and how the draft is going for him.
Yeah I bet Elvis didn’t like him too much after Tex took him out.
Wooooot!! Thanks for the stupendous news for those of us in the Trenton area, Pete. Can’t wait to go see him! I think Trenton (Waterfront Park) is known as a pitcher’s park, right? So it should bereally interesting to see how he does there.
SJ44 – how would you rank the Yankees and Red Sox organizations on the ‘good vs. bad’?
He is actually 19 years old.
Jesus Montero has experienced 2 spring trainings as an invitee and the tutorage of Tony Pena who drills catchers hard on fundamentals. (see Frannkie Cervelli)
By the time he reaches the big leagues he’ll be above serviceable.
Mature beyond at his age of 19.
Nice! Last year I got to watch AJax a whole lot since I live in Trenton, and now I get the opportunity to see another up and coming star. Good move by the Yankees.
“makes sense on assorted fronts.”
Really?
I wish, Peter, that you’d explained this.
Given his skills, his discipline, and his stats, there is a good chance that Jesus Montero would be able to hold his own
against ML pitching now. There is no question that, health permitting,he will be a big-time ML hitter eventually.
His catching is the only question. How does a promotion to
AA contribute to his development as a catcher? Or does such a move signal that the yanks have given up on him as a catcher?
The “sense” of the move is hardly obvious.
Uh, jake, had you read the thread here, its already been well discussed that the move was done so montero AND romine could both get full time catching duties. They were hampering each other in High-A.
Uh, Joekuh…Romine is the more advanced catcher. And, while he’s nowhere near Montero with the bat, he’s been hitting very well.
So it hasn’t been “well discussed” at all.
Montero is a great hitter. I’ve seen him here in Charleston when he played for the RiverDogs, and I think he will be the next big prospect everyone will talk about.
“”You can’t go by stats when assessing his throwing skills.
You don’t know how those bases were stolen.
At the minor league level, most SB are on the pitcher because they don’t hold runners well.
He doesn’t have as good an arm as Romine. Romine has a very good arm.
That said, the kid is not a stiff behind the plate. He’s huge, which works against him in a lot of ways. However, he’s better than a lot of the catchers I’ve seen in the minors the past few years.”"
GOOD CALL ON THE SAMPLING ERROR
Pitchers are worse at holding runners on at A+ comp’d to AA *cough Betances, and there are athletes that get on base at A+ that will not ever see AA, let alone, the majors