Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus released a new prospect list over at ESPN.com, and Jesus Montero checked in at 2nd:
Jesus Montero, C, New York Yankees (Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)
Monday’s stats: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 R, RBI
New York City got awfully excited about Ike Davis, a good-but-not-great prospect, coming to town on Monday. What will it be like later in the season when the Yankees call up one of the best prospects in the game? Surely, the surrounding factors won’t be the same. Mets fans are desperate for a light of hope in a miserable lineup and want Davis to be the answer, while Montero won’t arrive with the same expectations. At 20 years old, he’s one of the youngest everyday players at the upper levels, but he’s also the top hitting prospect in the minors. Montero is batting .300 and showed off power for the first time Monday afternoon against former big leaguer R.A. Dickey. Get the hype train revved up again.
With Jayson Heyward seemingly in Atlanta for good, Montero has a case for being the best hitter currently in the minor leagues. While some other prospects may have more value due to their abilities defensively compared to Montero’s meager backstopping skills, his bat is unquestionably elite. He homered for the first time this season in yesterday’s game, and has started to heat up a bit. He is now hitting .300/.364/.450 (courtesy of RAB‘s Montero watch), and has had a hit in all but one of his 12 games. Montero’s bat is close to ready, and the only thing holding him back is his defense. He should be a ton of fun to track over the next few months.
And right on cue, he hits a 3-run bomb. Good timing, Moshe! The Honorable Congressman Mondesi(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Yeah, that worked our well. I was also right on with Volquez as the steroids guy. My day to be a prognosticator. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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The Honorable Congressman Mondesi Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Time to buy a powerball ticket. The Honorable Congressman Mondesi(Quote)
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has anyone read any reports on his defense so far this season? steve(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Frankie Piliere and Jim Callis have both said he looks better, to the point where both think he will catch at least at the start with the Yanks. Keith Law’s reports said that he looked as bad as ever. It’s hard to know. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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BklynJt Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Keith Law has been hating on Montero since the get go. BklynJt(Quote)
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JD Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 10:42 am
He is 0-8 throwing out runners. Looks like he can catch for the Sox. On th point of your article, up to his injury last Summer I thought that Montero was in the same class as Heyward. In fact, better. JD(Quote)
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