Jesus Montero
Encyclopedia
Jesús Alejandro Montero (born November 28, 1989) is a Venezuela
n baseball
catcher
for the New York Yankees
. At the time of his signing, the Yankees projected him as a possible future replacement for Jorge Posada
, however there were doubts about whether his height and weight were conducive to being an everyday catcher.
, receiving $1.6 million. Montero was considered to be the best player and to have the best power of any 2006 international signee.
In 2007, at the age of 17, Montero made his professional debut for the Gulf Coast Yankees
. He was invited to 2008 Spring Training, where he hit a home run in his only at bat before being assigned to minor league camp. He spent the 2008 season with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs
, where he batted .326 with 17 home runs and 87 RBI, with 2 stolen bases.
He began 2009 with the Tampa Yankees
, the Class A-Advanced Florida State League
affiliate of the Yankees, but on June 3, 2009, Montero was promoted to the Double-A Trenton Thunder
. Despite having played only a portion of the 2009 season in Trenton, Montero was added to the Eastern League All-Star roster. He was named the Yankees' second best prospect for 2009 and the third best prospect in baseball by Baseball America
. He was named to the All-Star Futures Game
for the second year in a row, which features baseball's best minor league prospects. Montero's season ended prematurely when he sustained a broken finger while catching.
Montero was named the Yankees' best prospect for 2010 by Baseball America
and the fifth best in all of baseball. He was invited to spring training, where Yankees hitting coach
Kevin Long
declared him ready for the Majors as a hitter, though the team wanted to see improvement on defense. Montero spent the 2010 season with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Early in the season, Montero struggled, but he improved after the All-Star break. He was named to the International League
All-Star game the Postseason All-Star team, and was chosen as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Player of the Year.
At the 2010 MLB trade deadline, the Yankees and Seattle Mariners
almost completed a deal that would have sent Montero and two other prospects to the Mariners for Cliff Lee
. When the teams shared medical reports, the Mariners were concerned by an injury to one of the other prospects they were to receive. As a result, they chose to trade Lee to the Texas Rangers
in a package centered around Justin Smoak
.
Montero contended for a spot on the Yankees' 25 man roster in 2011 spring training
. Yankees officials believed Montero was ready to be the starting catcher, which would have enabled Jorge Posada to shift to designated hitter
, though the signing of Russell Martin
allowed the Yankees to be patient with Montero. A spring training injury to Francisco Cervelli
gave the Yankees an opportunity to use Montero as Martin's backup, but they decided to have Montero begin the 2011 season in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
against the Boston Red Sox
at Fenway Park
. Montero went 0-4 and was hit by a pitch, but scored the go-ahead run when he was driven in by Yankee catcher Russell Martin in the seventh inning. He made his first start at Yankee Stadium
on September 3, 2011, against the Toronto Blue Jays
. He went 1-3, hitting a single to left field in the 6th inning with 2 outs for his first major league hit. Montero hit his first and second Major League home runs on September 5, 2011 against the Baltimore Orioles
in an 11–10 victory, becoming the first 21-year-old player to hit two home runs in a game since Manny Ramirez
in 1993. Montero started his first game as a catcher against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
on September 11. Against the Red Sox on September 24, Montero fell a triple
short of hitting for the cycle
. Montero ended the year with a .328 batting average, having hit 4 home runs.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. At the time of his signing, the Yankees projected him as a possible future replacement for Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
, however there were doubts about whether his height and weight were conducive to being an everyday catcher.
Minor leagues
On July 2, 2006, Montero signed with the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, receiving $1.6 million. Montero was considered to be the best player and to have the best power of any 2006 international signee.
In 2007, at the age of 17, Montero made his professional debut for the Gulf Coast Yankees
Gulf Coast Yankees
The Gulf Coast League Yankees are the Rookie League affiliate of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. The GCL Yankees play in Tampa, Florida at the Yankee Complex...
. He was invited to 2008 Spring Training, where he hit a home run in his only at bat before being assigned to minor league camp. He spent the 2008 season with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs
Charleston RiverDogs
The Charleston RiverDogs are a Minor League Baseball team based in Charleston, South Carolina. They play in the class A South Atlantic League and are an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Their home stadium is at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park...
, where he batted .326 with 17 home runs and 87 RBI, with 2 stolen bases.
He began 2009 with the Tampa Yankees
Tampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
, the Class A-Advanced Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
affiliate of the Yankees, but on June 3, 2009, Montero was promoted to the Double-A Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
. Despite having played only a portion of the 2009 season in Trenton, Montero was added to the Eastern League All-Star roster. He was named the Yankees' second best prospect for 2009 and the third best prospect in baseball by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
. He was named to the All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
for the second year in a row, which features baseball's best minor league prospects. Montero's season ended prematurely when he sustained a broken finger while catching.
Montero was named the Yankees' best prospect for 2010 by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
and the fifth best in all of baseball. He was invited to spring training, where Yankees hitting coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
Kevin Long
Kevin Long
Kevin Long may refer to:* Kevin Long , American professional skateboarder*Kevin Long , American footballer...
declared him ready for the Majors as a hitter, though the team wanted to see improvement on defense. Montero spent the 2010 season with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Early in the season, Montero struggled, but he improved after the All-Star break. He was named to the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
All-Star game the Postseason All-Star team, and was chosen as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Player of the Year.
At the 2010 MLB trade deadline, the Yankees and Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
almost completed a deal that would have sent Montero and two other prospects to the Mariners for Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
. When the teams shared medical reports, the Mariners were concerned by an injury to one of the other prospects they were to receive. As a result, they chose to trade Lee to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in a package centered around Justin Smoak
Justin Smoak
Justin Kyle Smoak is an American Major League Baseball first baseman for the Seattle Mariners.-High school career:...
.
Montero contended for a spot on the Yankees' 25 man roster in 2011 spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. Yankees officials believed Montero was ready to be the starting catcher, which would have enabled Jorge Posada to shift to designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
, though the signing of Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...
allowed the Yankees to be patient with Montero. A spring training injury to Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. He was an international signee by the Yankees in and played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Italian team. He is Hispanic of Italian descent...
gave the Yankees an opportunity to use Montero as Martin's backup, but they decided to have Montero begin the 2011 season in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Major leagues
Montero was promoted to the Yankees on September 1, 2011. He started his first major league game that same day as the designated hitterDesignated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
. Montero went 0-4 and was hit by a pitch, but scored the go-ahead run when he was driven in by Yankee catcher Russell Martin in the seventh inning. He made his first start at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
on September 3, 2011, against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He went 1-3, hitting a single to left field in the 6th inning with 2 outs for his first major league hit. Montero hit his first and second Major League home runs on September 5, 2011 against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in an 11–10 victory, becoming the first 21-year-old player to hit two home runs in a game since Manny Ramirez
Manny Ramírez
Manuel "Manny" Arístides Ramírez Onelcida is a retired Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder. He was recognized for great batting skill and power, a nine-time Silver Slugger and one of 25 players to hit 500 career home runs. Ramirez's 21 grand slams are third all-time, and his 28...
in 1993. Montero started his first game as a catcher against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
on September 11. Against the Red Sox on September 24, Montero fell a triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
short of hitting for the cycle
Hitting for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
. Montero ended the year with a .328 batting average, having hit 4 home runs.