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November 09, 2006
Jesus Montero News
From a recent Baseball America chat:
Q: Ben from New York, NY asks:
John, Thanks for all the great work. No Jesus Montero? Is he #11? This group looks a lot more impressive than any top 10 the Yankees have had in quite some time--what's your assesment?
A: John Manuel: No on Montero. The jury was always still out on him catching, and several scouts I talked to when he signed in July thought he was a 1B. Then if he's a 1B and not a C, all the value will be in the bat, and you're projecting a 16-year-old's bat. Add to that he's got 80 raw power, yes, and they spent a lot of money, but the Yankees also removed the man (Lin Garrett) who oversaw his signing, and every report I've heard on Montero's performance at the Yankees' mini-camp (which functions as their instructional league team) has been negative. There's no guarantee that Montero even makes the top 30, frankly. All the news and rumors I've heard about him since signing are the opposite of positive, to put it politely.
Back in July, on Montero, I wrote:
...remember Jackson Melian? Not every 16-year old, can't miss kid (that the Yankees throw millions at) makes it in the end.
Gee, that was quick, huh?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 9, 2006 02:27 PM
Comments
The only thing that's quick is how fast you've dismissed him. He hasn't even played in a game yet (Instructs don't count), yet you seem to be writing him off.
I see you've forgotten Derek Jeter hit .209-.311-.314-.626 in his first pro season.
Posted by: Mike A. ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 9, 2006 02:39 PM
I'm sorry, but any 16 year old with 80 power is a major prospect.
Posted by: DownFromNJ at November 9, 2006 02:52 PM
honestly Steve, are you ever excited about a prospect?
Posted by: Travis G. at November 9, 2006 03:19 PM
Amen to what Mike A. said. Steve, with prospects, you're like a shy guy at a bar. You'd rather not get a date then risk talking to a woman in fear she might reject you.
Montero is a beast at just sixteen years old. The famous quote is: "He's the size of Travis Hafner at sixteen." So you basically have a monster kid with tremendous power who knows how to hit. Who cares if he will become a first baseman later in his career? Jason Giambi's bat got him a 120-million-dollar contract. Isn't Hafner himself all about his bat? I think that bat is pretty available to his team.
Papi and Hafner are going to be MVP candidates every year. If Montero turns out to be that, would anyone complain?
People complain when others get too excited over prospects. But I think it's even worse to write them off before they've even been given a chance.
Posted by: baileywalk at November 9, 2006 03:32 PM
Lets be real here. Lets give the 16 yr old a chance against some competition before we throw a bust tag on him
The facts are this. He's 16 and gets a perfect score on power.
Now thats impressive. We should be encouraged by guys like this instead of "jackson melian'ing" him
Posted by: Dave Polands Gut at November 9, 2006 03:46 PM
Just to clarify, the 20-80 scale (as scored for Montero) is his current score, correct?
They aren't evaluating his potential, but what he already has.
Right?
Posted by: Jeteupthemiddle at November 9, 2006 04:27 PM
I'd rather wait and see. It's a long way to the show. I'd rather wait a couple of years before I write him off.
We're talking Willy Mo Pena-esque power here... And to think that he may have another growth spurt coming to him!
Catcher? Do they even make equipment that big? :)
Posted by: Raf at November 9, 2006 05:32 PM
dimissing a 16 year old is always a bad idea.
Posted by: Yu Hsing Chen at November 9, 2006 09:01 PM
Well try reading what the BA writer said and not attack the messenger. It is quite damning. That the guy who pursued and signed him was fired is also telling.
As I posted here when they signed him, he's a DH at best. A foolish waste of $2 million IMO.
++++++
Just in: Bosox reportedly win the DM sweepstakes. Allegedly between $37-45 million.
Posted by: Don at November 10, 2006 02:04 PM