Jesus Montero makes USA debut

[TheKilo]

Montero is awful impressive, maybe the best offensive prospect the Yanks have?

What level is he at right now and what is his ETA for the big club?

[jacksonianmarch]

For sheer offensive skills, I dont think you'll find anyone in our system who is better. For the overall position player package, I think Jackson will beat him out this yr, his last month aside. Couple things on Montero..

In terms of base hit ability, at the beginning of the yr, I would say he and Hilligoss would be near the top. As in solid contact to all fields. Well, Montero takes the cake since Hilligoss bombed out this yr.

In terms of raw power, Montero and Laird take the cake.

In terms of eye, it is a bit difficult to expound on MiLB stats, but Montero has an advanced view of the zone. His isoPatience isnt the best marker. More the fact that he doesnt K a lot and hits for solid line drives more often than not. But in terms of patience, I think he is in the 4th-5th range. The best in the yankee system is Kyle Anson in terms of eye IMO.

His ETA is variable. I know, not the best answer. But the yankees have been trying to shore up the catcher position since Cashman took the reigns. He took Kyle Anson in the 05 draft with the purpose of moving him to catcher. Unfortunately, 2 yrs worth of knee and back injuries threw him out of whack. We have Francisco Cervelli, who is a very solid catching prospect, more along the good eye, solid but not great stick and above average glove type. We also added Austin Romine last yr and Kyle Higashioka this yr. He also drafted a SS (Addison Maruszak) who is dominating the NYP league, who will likely be catching next yr as well. The catching depth in the system is very deep and should start to see results next season (I expect Cervelli to see time in the bigs). That said, if Anson or Cervelli stick, then Montero's ETA will be moved up. As a catcher, he hits a logjam of deserving prospects and right now he splits time behind the plate and DH with another solid, deserving prospect in Austin Romine. If he was moved to 1b, he'd be behind only Miranda, who'll likely make his MLB debut next yr.

So therefore, as a catcher, Montero wont be ready until 2011-2012. If he was a 1b right now, I'd say he could have made it to AA already. So if, for the sake of arguing, he converted to 1b over the winter, he'd likely reach AA or AAA by the end of 2009 and be ready for his debut a la Miguel Cabrera in 2003, in August or so of 2010.

[TheKilo]

Ok, so basically the Sox comparison is Lars?

[jacksonianmarch]

I think that is a good comparison. I think Lars has and will continue to have a better eye. But I think Montero will have more power.

[jacksonianmarch]

Oh and in terms of his defense, here's a few morsels for thought.

BA and a lot of the ESPN pundits are about a yr to a yr and a half behind when it comes to players in the lower levels. A yr and a half ago, Montero was a pretty raw catcher. He's made some strides in that regard, to a point where he is now just as good if not better than Austin Romine, the kid whom BA raved about his defensive ability. To be honest with you, Montero's Fielding % and CS% are much higher than Romine's. The legitimate concern from both the BA and the scout.com perspective is that he will simply outgrow the position. As an 18 yr old who is 6'4 and 225 pounds AFTER losing 25 pounds, that is a legitimate concern. Right now, as long as the kid works to stay in shape and doesnt grow anymore, he is right at the edge of the size of a big league catcher. Any more weight or height and they should call it a day and move him to 1b.

[jacksonianmarch]

In his last 39 games (about 1/3 of his season) he hit .391 with a .603SLG. This kid can absolutely mash.