Tampa falls despite Montero’s awesomeness

June 2, 2009 by Mike Axisa 92 Comments

Robert Pimpsner of Baby Bombers tells me Jesus Montero has been promoted to Double-A Trenton, and should be there tomorrow or Thursday. Yippee.

The Padres released old pal Chris Britton. He had a 10.45 ERA, 2.27 WHIP and a .406 BAA in 20.2 IP split between Double-A & Triple-A this year.

Triple-A Scranton (3-2 loss to Syracuse)
Reegie Corona & Austin Jackson: both 1 for 4, 1 2B – Corona K’ed once, Ajax twice
Todd Linden: 0 for 4, 1 R – 2 for his last 17 (.118)
Shelley Duncan: 0 for 4, 1 K – threw a runner out at home from RF
Juan Miranda: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 3B – a triple? good for him
Justin Leone: 0 for 2, 2 RBI, 1 E (fielding) – had a pair of sac flies
Eric Duncan: 0 for 4, 1 K – here’s what yesterday’s outfield collision with Austin Jackson looked like
Chris Stewart & Doug Bernier: both 1 for 3 – Stewart allowed a passed ball & was picked off first … Bernier K’ed
Casey Fossum: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HB, 7-5 GB/FB – 48 of 82 pitches were strikes (58.5%) … picked a runner off first .. served up a solo jack to an ex-Yank
Anthony Claggett: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 5-3 GB/FB – 21 of 30 pitches were strikes (70%)

Double-A Trenton
Game 1 (7-2 loss to Bowie in 7 innings) makeup of an early May rain out
Justin Snyder & James Cooper: both 1 for 3 – Snyder drew a walk & committed a fielding error … Coop tripled, scored a run & K’ed
Colin Curtis: 1 for 2, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 HB
Chris Malec: 0 for 4, 1 K
Noah Hall & Kevin Smith: both 0 for 3 – Hall K’ed once, Smith thrice … Smith also committed a fielding error
Kyle Anson & Marcos Vechionacci: both 0 for 2, 1 BB – Anson K’ed
Edwar Gonzalez: 2 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K
Ryan Pope: 6 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 9-5 GB/FB – first start with more than one walk since April 19th
Eric Wordekemper: 1 IP, zeroes, 1 K, 2-0 GB/FB

I have no idea what’s going on with Game 2 of Trenton’s doubleheader, but the box score isn’t updating. You’re not missing much; Alan Horne was was so-so while on a strict pitch count. That’s about it.

High-A Tampa (9-4 loss to Charlotte) gave up five runs in the top of the ninth
Austin Krum, Brian Baisley & Walt Ibarra: all 1 for 4 – Krum drew a walk, scored a run & K’ed … Baisley drove in a run … Ibarra K’ed
Matt Cusick: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB
Jesus Montero: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 E (throwing) – 19 for his last 36 (.528) … allowed a pair of stolen bases
Austin Romine: 1 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 HBP
Brandon Laird, Tommy Baldridge & Wady Rufino: all 0 for 4 – Rufino K’ed three times
DJ Mitchell: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HB, 8-3 GB/FB
Charles Nolte: 2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 6-0 GB/FB
Craig Heyer: 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 2-1 GB/FB – allowed an inherited runner to score

Low-A Charleston (5-3 win over Savannah)
Abe Amonte: 1 for 2, 2 R, 1 SB – left a game for an unknown reason after coming around to score in the third
Mike Lyon: 0 for 1, 2 BB, 1 K – replaced Almonte
Dan Brewer: 0 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 E (fielding)
David Adams, Jose Pirela & Taylor Grote: all 1 for 4 – Adams was hit by a pitch, doubled, drove in 2 runs & scored 2 others … Pirela drew a walk, was picked off first & K’ed … Grote K’ed twice
Melky Mesa: 2 for 4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 HBP
Corban Joseph: 2 for 5, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 K – 9 walks in 20 games is encouraging
Neall French & Chase Weems: both 0 for 3, 1 BB – Weems K’ed twice
Manny Banuelos: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 HB, 2-4 GB/FB – studly
Brandon Braboy: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 3-0 GB/FB
Casey Erickson: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1-1 GB/FB – hasn’t allowed an earned run since April 23rd, 20.1 IP ago
Pat Venditte: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-0 GB/FB – 34 K in 22.1 IP

http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD

Good for you, Jesus.
Manimal

LOL, As I was reading Britton’s stats I thought it was in the majors, not AA and AAA. Epic fail on his part.
Dorian

PRAISE JEEBUS!!!!!!
Drew

That collision looks nasty. I swear I’d find where E-Dunc lived if he hurt Ajax.
ManBan with a sick line.
- Darth Stein
  
  Maybe it is the angle, but Jackson looks like he knocked the crap out of Duncan.
Doug

Mike, 3 SBs against for jesus (and a throwing error)
Greg G.

He may not ever make the bigs, but damn, I love looking Venditte’s stats this year. Just awesome.
- The Lodge
  
  It certainly looks like he is a man amongst boys by the stats. I guess he kind of is though, literally.
Doug

2 more Ks for AJax. Wish I could say he’s swinging from his heels and going for the downs, but with 0 HRs, that can’t be it.

Gotta figure out a way to make more contact
- Drew
  
  That’s why he’s still developing, he’ll get it together.
  - Doug
    
    Hope so, but not so sure he’ll ever be able to cut down on the Ks. His K rate has increased consistently as he’s increased levels. Expect that to continue when promoted to the bigs. Hope that once he’s 2-3 years in, they will plateau.
- Tremont
  
  Despite the gaudy BA, I think A-Jax has been disappointing so far. It’s almost impossible to K that much, have no power, and sustain that kind of number. His BABIP is just a shade under .500. In the long term, nobody does that.
  - Doug
    
    agreed. ran the #s this morning and if his BABIP drops to .364 (his figure from last year) with his K rate remaining steady, his BA for the season ends up at .292
    - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
      
      I’d be alright w/a 21 year old (7th youngest player in AAA I believe) hitting .292 at AAA, especially if he keeps up a .076 IsoD (that’d be a .368 OBP).
      - Doug
        
        yes, but with no HRs? not sure i’d be thrilled with a .292/.368/.400 line (with 100+ Ks)
        
        http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
        
        As long as he plays good defense in CF, I wouldn’t be too pissed if he slugged only .400. I’m not looking for big power from A-Jax; I’m looking for patience, speed, and defense.
        
        Doug
        
        i hear you, and i don’t need him to hit 30 HRs either. if he’s .280/.350/.450 with 15-18 HRs and above average D in CF for the next 10 years, i’d be happy.
        
        http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
        
        That’s exactly what I see him as, except more like .420-.430. Throw in 20+ steals for good measure.
        
        V
        
        Granderson at 25 years old:
        
        .260/.335/.438 – hehehe.
        
        I’d absolutely love it if Jackson developed into a .500 SLG guy by the time he was 27-28, though.
        
        Doug
        
        granderson’s a pretty good comparison b/c he strikes out a ton too
        
        V
        
        Good comp except for the LH vs. RH thing, but yeah, I like Granderson as a comp for Jackson’s tools.
  - Drew
    
    oh boy…
Blackdragon905

Can anybody tell me what Banuelos’ ceiling is and what kind of stuff does he throw? Thanks.
- Tremont
  
  From what I’ve heard, his upside is probably a #3, more likely a back end guy or a reliever. He doesn’t throw overly hard and he is a little bit of a fella, so there isn’t much projection. Having said that, he is 18, lefty, and striking out boatloads, while walking very few.
- http://www.retire21.org Mike R. – Retire 21
  
  Huge upside. Could be an 8th inning shut down reliever!
  
  :)
- Fernando Valenzuela
  
  Need to respectfully disagree with that assessment of Banuelos’ ceiling. Pinstripes Plus ranked him the #9 prospect in the entire Yankees system this year. Although lacking ideal size, he does throw 90-92 as an 18 year old lefty with two solid secondary pitches, good mechanics and control. If he adds a tick or two, ceiling is more like Scott Kazmir, but even so, still solid middle rotation guy. Interestingly, there are reports that he has “lost” his curveball this year, and is putting up these numbers as an 18 year old in A ball with mainly his fastball and change.
- Jeffrey
  
  The team can always use a lefty as a starter or a reliever. They usually seem hard to come by and many time get a shot. Since this rotation has a chance to be set for many years to come it would be nice to have a solid lefty in the pen.
  - Bo
    
    Tough to put a ceiling on a talented 18 yr old. Especially a lefty pitcher with good stuff.
Drew

Oh and Chris Britton… professional athletes should be at least a little in shape. I never understood how you can be a professional and be fat. It just shows a complete disregard for your team unless your name is David Wells and a few others.
- andrew
  
  and oh yea, that guy CC too. There are certain professional sports that require a certain weight, baseball pitchers don’t happen to be one of them. Bigger pitchers.. Wells, Britton, Garces and CC come to mind, are just as capable as succeeding as anyone else
  - Drew
    
    Chris Britton is not CC. CC is actually a very good athlete. That’s why I didn’t mention CC.
    There’s a huge difference between being a big pitcher and being overweight. If you don’t have the skill-set of the aforementioned CC and Wells, perhaps you should work your ass off in the gym and lay off the tacos.
    - andrew
      
      The difference between CC/Wells and Britton was not athleticism, it was talent.
      - Drew
        
        Right, when you don’t have superior talent you need to work harder and lay off the tacos. As I mentioned.
        
        andrew
        
        But as I mentioned, lowering his weight may not increase effectiveness.
        
        Drew
        
        Being in great shape hasn’t hurt many people to the best of my knowledge. Perhaps his work ethic, or lack thereof is why teams are releasing him. He’s had a great minor league career excluding 15 innings this year. Normally teams are willing to hang on to young arms with a good track record.
        
        Bo
        
        CC is big. Not fat. Britton is fat.
Accent Shallow

Let’s see if playing in a pitcher’s park in a pitcher’s league can cool Montero off a little. Hopefully he can improve his catching skills to viability.

Mitchell just keeps rolling along, doesn’t he?

I’m unsure what to think of Banuelos. He’s so young, that’s gotta count for something.

Definitely disappointed to not see Heredia in Charleston or Tampa, is he still in EST due to injury?
- Doug
  
  Isn’t he currently playing in a pitcher’s league
  - AndrewYF
    
    Tampa is a huge pitcher’s park. Check out his home/road splits.
    - Doug
      
      wow…..1.221 OPS vs .793
  - Accent Shallow
    
    The FSL is a pitcher’s league as well, but I was under the (possibly mistaken) impression that the Eastern League is moreso.
    
    All the Yankees MiL affiliates play in pitcher’s parks, AFAICT.
    
    http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/2008_minor_league_park_multipliers/
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      I ran Montero’s numbers through the MLE Calculator. He’s hitting .356-.406-.583 in Tampa, and that translates to .343-.387-.563 in Trenton. It adjusts for park, league, the whole nine.
      - Doug
        
        I’d take that. And how old is he again ;-)
      - Doug
        
        Mike, if he comes close to those #s, any chance he actually begins next year at AAA? At age 20!
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        I would imagine so. No reason to waste that stuff in AA.
        
        Doug
        
        At catcher? Or if his struggles behind the plate continue, do you make a position switch so he can have a full season at his ultimate position?
        
        RollingWave
        
        Mike, if he comes close to those #s, any chance he actually begins next year at ~~AAA?~~ MLB
        
        V
        
        AAA? I could see that, if they give up on being a catcher (or have him work on the side).
        
        MLB? I have to think highly unlikely. He’d have to learn LF, for one, and I don’t see that happening overnight. Can also play games with arbitration if they truly believe he’s ready for the majors.
zzzzzz

jesus!
- Rick in Boston
  
  Here’s the #’s you’re looking for:
  
  Through 48 games (which I believe is pre-last night), the SB/CS numbers for Tampa Yankees catchers:
  
  Montero – 53 SB, 8 CS in 25 games
  Romine – 27 SB, 15 CS in 22 games
  Fryer – 0 SB, 1 CS in 4 games
  
  Unfortunately one big piece is not available through BRef’s Minor Leagues data – SB/CS by pitcher. For example, if Montero is catching for somebody terribly slow to the plate, it’s compounding any issues that he has in his footwork/transfer problems. Also, high-A is where a lot of the slap-hitting, high SB total players end up for a couple years because they can’t hit enough to advance – they do just enough to get on base against younger pitchers and then exploit it by running all over the place. The good news is that pitchers at AA usually are more experienced and therefore are more cognizant of runners on base. It wouldn’t shock me if his CS% improves a bit.
  
  I don’t think he moves until he’s in the majors and after he proves he can’t handle the duties of a MLB catcher.
  - Rob in CT
    
    Yikes. 13% is pretty awful. Happily, he’s 19 and has some time to work on that. But one has to understand why so many people don’t think he can cut it as a catcher.
    - Doug
      
      and teams are running a lot more with montero behind the plate (2.44 attempts/game) vs romine (1.91)
      - Dave M
        
        I would too if I were managing against him.
Todd

Is there any way to learn Montero’s Caught Stealing numbers vs his stolen bases allowed. Also, if there is, please put his numbers in context–compared to other catchers in the league. I understand that SB often do not reflect catchers, but it seems as if every team Tampa faces runs crazy. While I am happy his bat is promoted, I am afraid AA players will also run on him-little league style. Basically what I am asking is do the numbers back-up my perception that not only are baserunners highly successful running on him, but they run a lot, suggesting how he is scouted by other teams.
- Doug
  
  Don’t have the numbers you’re looking for, but I think you’re right. Opponents seem to run on him at will, and rightfully so. That’s what I’d do. Just like when Piazza played. No reason not to run and prove he can throw you out.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime

Y’all know Montero’s been promoted to AA, right?
- Doug
  
  Tonite?
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime
  
  Oh wow, I should read the actual post on occasion.
  - Doug
    
    me too apparently
Nickel

Boy, I hope Montero makes it to Trenton by tomorrow.
Hey…anyone know who’s starting for the Thunder tomorrow night?
Brandon HA !

The lord’s son is coming to Trenton. :D
Brian

Including tonight’s action, what are Montero’s stats for this year? By the way, this is the first year I am following this blog and I really love it, the analysis is great and all of these updates on the minor league guys is superb. This is my #1 place to get my Yankee internet fix everyday.
- V
  
  .352/.404/.585. .989 OPS.
Manimal

Jesus makes way to many errors and way to many people steal off of him. He is starting to project into a 1st basemen Miguel Cabrera type player.
- Doug
  
  I foresee a problem there
- V
  
  He’s 19 years old.
  
  Do you know where Posada was at 19? In Low-A playing 2B with a .235/.388/.359 line.
  - andrew
    
    But at least he pees on his hands…
  - V
    
    Mike Piazza didn’t hit AA til he was 23. He put up a .277/.344/.540 line in High-A at 22.
    - Bo
      
      Playing catcher isn’t just about power numbers. Defense and handling pitchers are a big part of it. Whats the need to rush this kid? Let him learn how to be a catcher. We all know he can rake.
  - ChrisS
    
    But look at that OBP! Posada was the very the definition of a late bloomer. But what a stud, watching him mash that near-upper deck bomb last night made me smile.
    
    I have a feeling it may be a bit easier to go from a wiry 2B with a strong arm to C than it is to force a DH into the C role. Montero may have been signed as a kid who played C, but that’s a long way from being a ML C. Teixeira was drafted as a 3B. D matters, especially at such a difficult position. I’m all for giving Jesus the benefit of learning the position, but I don’t think they should play games with a bat that could be really special at the ML level.
    - Doug
      
      agree with you 100%. if he can make it as a catcher, he’d be SO valuable, just not sure it’s going to happen. no non-yankee scout i’ve read thinks he’s likely to remain behind the plate.
      
      have him catch up in trenton, but if it’s still proving to be a tough go, i’d make a position switch before his promotion (probably next year) to AAA.
pollo

Do we trade him for Mauer then?
- Doug
  
  can’t see the twins ever dealing their hometown boy. now, he may leave as a FA, but a trade… don’t see it
CP3

“Everytime I’m hitting at the plate, I ask myself what would Jesus do?”
-Austin Romine
Doug

maybe the most impressive montero stat is ONLY 26 Ks in about 200 PAs. nah, that .989 OPS probably’s it
V

There was not a single 19 year old in AA at the end of last season: http://projectprospect.com/article/2008/10/27/youngest-players-by-level-doublea

Six of the ten youngest (including Fernando Martinez, the youngest) have already been called up the majors (though Snider has since been demoted to AAA).
V

Anyone have a scouting report on Montero’s HRs? Is he a dead pull hitter?
- Drew
  
  I looked at his spray chart for the last two years on minor league splits. This year isn’t available yet. Looks like he sprays the ball all over the field.
- Jeffrey
  
  It’s been a while since I made it to a Trenton game, but if I remember right a player really has to jack one and get some height on the ball for it to go out with the wall they have their.
Doug

another nice montero split is that he mashes righties to the tune of .374/.431/.618/1.049
- V
  
  Damn, that’s studly.
V

Any chance of Higashioka to Charleston sometime soon? Or is he ticketed for short-season ball?
- http://www.retire21.org Mike R. – Retire 21
  
  I have no idea but if Higashioka ever caught Albaladejo it would have to be one of the longest battery names in history. Wouldn’t it?
  - V
    
    Looks like Saltalamacchia-Villarreal wins.
    
    http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2007/B07220ATL2007.htm
    
    I am a dork.
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Reggie C.

Austin Jackson’s power will show up in the majors. Playing half his games in the new YS, Jackson will hit a few out. He’s going to run into a few very soon against some hard luck AAA pitcher. If I recall correctly, last season, Jackson went on a 2 week homer binge that ended up accounting for at least half of his homer total. I’m sure Jackson is going to see at least another week of hot hitting.
- Doug
  
  he had HRs in 4 consecutive games in the middle of the season. and he actually didn’t homer until game 37 last year. so this does appear to be a thing with him.
- Dave M
  
  Was this year or last when A-Jax hit a grand slam in an ML Spring Training game? I don’t remember when. But I do remember the swing. The potential is there………….
Jon

Why don’t you include the person who’s stats headline your thread (in this case Montero) in the listing with everyone else’s from that game??? its incredibly annoying.
Cecilio Guante’s number 1 fan

I would trade Montero, Wang, and another prospect after the season for Mauer. The Twins would have to do that deal.
Steven

Trenton won the second game of the double header on a walk off single by Carlos Mendoza
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