Report: Montero working out at first base
BySurely you’ve heard the news by now, so I’m not going to bother linking to one of the many reports indicating that Yanks’ top prospect Jesus Montero has been working out at first base in Tampa. This isn’t anything out of the ordinary. The Yanks have all of their minor league catchers dabble at first as they get close to the majors, and really they have everyone work out at another position to increase their versatility as they get within shouting distance of the show.
Brett Gardner and Austin Jackson were playing the outfield corners for a while, Ramiro Pena was bouncing around the infield when it seemed like he had a shot to make the team, starters pitch in relief, there’s plenty of other examples. It doesn’t mean they’ve given up on him as a catcher, they’re just getting him some reps at another position since there probably aren’t too many pitchers down there throwing right now. If anything, this is great news. It means the Yanks are confident that Montero’s bat is close to big league ready, and he might see some action in the Bronx this year.
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This isn’t anything out of the ordinary. The Yanks have all of their minor league catchers dabble at first as they get close to the majors, and really they have everyone work out at another position to increase their versatility as they get within shouting distance of the show.
Thats bull. of course the team is playing him at first because they think he cant catch.
u really think theyd waste time with him at first if they didnt expect him to play there ????
/youknowwho’d
“GAME OVER MAN, GAME OVER”
/Bill Paxton in “Aliens”‘d
Cue panic in 3…2….1….
ZOMG THEY ARE TRADING TEH TEIXIERA!!1!11!!1!!
Nope.
Moving Tex back to third, trading ARod. Sell high on him now before he goes back to being a boo-worthy, unclutch bastard.
nope, moving tex to third, a-rod to short and shipping jeter with his expiring contract to a contender.
I had not thought of that……but I will see your proposal, and raise you a:
Montero at first, move Tex to 3rd, A-Rod back to short, and…..
OH NOES!! THEY AREN’T RESIGNING TEH CAPTAIN!!1!!1!
We’re going to trade Jeter to the White Sox and Indians for the rights to young Frank Thomas and young Manny Ramirez.
Frank Thomas+Manny Ramirez have 2 Titles.
Jeter has 5, all by himself.
Jeter>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Thomas and Manny
Hes the best SS of all time and theyre both clubhouse malcontents doesnt that mean anything to u ?????
/youknowwho’d
Robert Horry 7 rings
Michael Jordan 6 rings who punched his teammates.
Horry>>>>>>>>Jordan
who punched his teammates
Was this a joke? If not, what is the story. I never heard of this.
He fought Steve Kerr in practice, gave him a black eye. And that was in the 2nd part of his career, when he was more mature.
yeah but MJ was the captain right?
Ahh good point, both Jeter and Jordan were captains.
Counterpoint, Robert Horry was also a malcontent who once threw a towel in his coaches face.
There is also a story about him getting into it with Bill Cartwright in practice once. Supposedly Cartwright told him something along the lines of he’d take him out and end his career.
Fun Fact: Robert Horry is one of two men to win NBA titles with three different teams. Who is the other?
NO LOOKING IT UP CHEATING!!!!
SHAQ.
Miami, LA, Cleveland.
Nicely done.
Not yet.
Chuck Nevitt?
Negative.
Does he have a large head?
Doesn’t every NBA player have a large head?
Greg Oden?
I was thinking Sam Cassell at first, but then I knew.
Oh, you meant “head head”…..
Guess my Oden guess was a little below the belt.
I rarely go blue. I’m like Cosby. Which means I like to have affairs.
Fun Fact: Bill Cosby hit on my wife.
I’m not making that up.
Was he wearing a cool sweater? Because I’m not sure how she could have resisted the Cos in a classic pattern sweater or a Black College/University sweatshirt.
Fun Fact #2: The Cos was in his late 60s, and married, when this incident happened. He’s almost 40 years older than my wife.
She resisted quite easily.
It’s your duty to hit on Cammmmmmile.
I never asked if Jello Pudding was involved in this proposition. I don’t want to know.
Latrell Sprewell. . . Oh wait you said win an NBA title on three different teams and not choke a coach on one team. How did I screw that up?
Anyways.
Phil Jackson. He won two on the Knicks as a player and another 10 times as an NBA coach of the Lakers and Bulls. (I did not cheat, but did check my answer on Wiki to make sure I was right before posting)
No, three titles on three teams as a player. Coaching rings aren’t included.
Hmmm, while I’m guessing that’s not the answer he’s looking for, I’d have to give you full credit, as he did ask “one of two men“, not players.
Nice catch, Steve. Shoulda worded that more precisely.
I can think of a bunch of random guys with 2 and almost 3.
Is he an “actor”?
Is he a computer hacker in a Will Smith/Martin Lawrence movie?
Is he “Long” and “Tall’?
Oooooh. I think you’re onto something there.
Since you put the quotation marks on there, yes.
Calling what he does “acting” would probably offend some classically trained actors, but yes, he has appeared in movies and TV shows. He has a SAG card, if that works for you.
Yup. Andy’s got it!
SAY IT.
Not only was he in Bad Boys, but he was a member of the Bad Boys.
john salley?
Dennis Rodman. hahaha John Salley
Bingo. John “Spider” Salley.
Isiah’s Pistons, the 72-win Bulls, and the first Kobe/Shaq Lakers title team.
If this isn’t “off topic” i dont know what is. Dont they have a new off topic thread for crap like this?
Prefer if he was getting some reps in LF rather than first, where there is a bit less organizational depth.
You have a point, but there’s likely two large reasons we’d limit Montero’s non-catcher reps to first base at this point:
A) C to LF is a harder transition than C to 1B, a position switch experiment that we probably shouldn’t ask Montero to even take reps at until he’s been given a full chance to try and fail at catching. Don’t overload the kid, let him concentrate on C. Taking reps at LF would likely mess with his defensive progression behind the dish more than taking reps at 1B would.
B) Reps in LF would expose him to far more needless injury risk than reps at 1B.
Yeah. If they were working him out at 1B in a serious attempt to have him learn the position, A.D. would be right on here. In all likely hood, that isn’t what is going on here though.
Certainly valid points, but it is pre-spring training reps at this point, can’t hurt for him to shag some fly balls.
Yes, it could.
Wasn’t there a yankee player who ran into a golf cart and blew his knee out shagging FB’s? I want to say it was Juan Rivera but google isn’t helping.
no more than fielding ground balls could hurt…
Yes it could.
Whatever position he ends up playing I hope its fairly soon and in a Yankee uniform.
if he fell into a Victor martinez role would people be mad? Its the smart thing to do. Let him see a little first base just in case catching doesn’t work out. This way he wont have to spend a lot more time learning a new position in the minors. Worst comes to worst he end up DH/1B splits with TEX and may be TEX filling in for Arod here and there. I dunno. You have make sure you get the most out of the kid.
tex ewill never play 3b in the major leagues again
I’ll cosign that. Tex might play third for like half a game in an emergency situation or something, but he’s strictly 1B or DH for the rest of his career.
Yes, never say never, considering we saw Sheffield play third in a Yankee uniform, but here’s to hoping that it never, ever happens.
It would have to happen like this:
Jeter is removed for Pena late in a blowout.
Pena dives into the stands and breaks his nose.
A-Rod moves to short.
Tex moves to 3B.
Someone (Cervelli maybe) goes to 1B.
And only if it’s late in a blowout.
It happens early in the game, Arod takes over at short, hits 2 homers in the game and finally passes Cal Ripkin Jr. as the all-time leader in SS home runs.
Can you imagine the comments after the game?
I keep waiting for that to happen! The record is just sitting there!
Girardi could pull it off similar to the way Gehrig kept his streak going:
Put Jeter at 3B and A-Rod at SS on the lineup card for road games. After the end of the first half inning, make the change.
It would give A-Rod a maximum 81 chances to do it. Say the Yankees go 1-2-3 in, oh, 50% of the road games, then it’s still 40 chances to break the record.
Nah, that would never happen. Joe G don’t fuck around.
But what if Jeter brought ice cream or some other forbidden piece of junk food into the clubhouse? That would be the perfect punishment.
didn’t jose Molina play second for the Yanks at somepoint in 08?
No, he played 3B for 2 innings last year.
I do remember in the game against the Red Sox when Pedro hit Soriano and Jeter in the first inning that the Yankees had to play Ventura at second for eight innings.
I Mattingly could play CF and 1B, then Tex can certainly play 3B.
Quoting myself:
Tex might play third for like half a game in an emergency situation or something…
Mattingly looked to have the skills to be a decent OFer when he first came up. Not saying he would have won gold gloves out there, but I think he would been more than passable. Of course, there was no reason to put Mattingly in the OF when he had an excellent glove at first and they had a need there.
Yet, if they hadn’t traded away Fred McGriff so quickly before they knew what they had (although I suggest an 18-year-old who hits 9 HRs in only 200 ABs with a .400 OBP in his first look at professional ball should have been a very good clue), they might have had a period with two dynamite lefties on the same team. Maybe even Mattingly’s back would have been better served in the OF as opposed to at first with all the crouching and diving that comes with the position. Just wishful thinking.
The biggest beneficiary to this fantasy would have been McGriff, who only fell seven HRs short of 500. I think the right field at Yankee Stadium would have served him well, he would have played most of his career for the Yankees, and the HOF would be more of a reality for him.
Now back to reality.
BTW Is it safe for Bob Shirley to walk in NY?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Shirley
Montero has 7 years to learn how to play 1b if need be. This is called getting some light work in before Spring Training begins so he’s not in a crouch from mid February until September.
Exactly. I think this post was just an attempt to head off any
“omg Montero is moving off catcher!!” discussions.
7 yrs?
I dont think his bat will keep him in AAA.
Now, unlike the rest of you dicking around with movie quotes and NBA head sizes, I have a serious question:
How does this impact Carmen Angelini?
Aww shiiiieeeeet.
I love your Clay Davis impression. It’s the gift that keeps giving.
Fun Fact #3: Isaiah Whitlock Jr., the actor who plays Clay Davis, made his big-screen debut as the doctor who gives Henry Hill a valium in Goodfellas.
Good trivia, tommie.
According to IMDB, Isiah Whitlock Jr. actually made his big-screen debut as a fireman in Gremlins 2: the New Batch. But like most people, he probably wants to forget that.
Oooh, nice catch. I need to update my mental rolodex.
Fun Fact #4: I used to work with a guy who’s brother was the actual “Pittsburgh Connection” for the real life Henry Hill.
Mm-mmm. Twenty gets you the permits. Five is for me for bribing these downtown motherfuckers. I mean, I’m the one got to risk walking up to these thieving bitches with cash in hand, right? I’m telling you, String, the people running the city nowadays, they make the last bunch look sanctified. I mean, this some shameful shit.
/making rain, partner.
I miss that show. Greatest “true-life” show ever, but “Lost” is the greatest show ever. Lost is like a 133 hour movie.
Lost is like an
13389.46 hour movie.Commercials, holmes. 122 filmed hours worth of episodes minus the 16 minutes worth of commercials in an hourlong drama.
I would like my Pinstripe DFA IPA in a cold mug please.
http://tinyurl.com/PinstripeDFAIPA
OH NO, THEY ARE TRADING NICK “THE SICK” JOHNSON!!!!!
He’s sick? Damn.
Mark Newmann mentioned this a couple weeks ago. I think it was to Chad Jennings. This is common practice for the Yankees. I’m an SWB season ticket holder and rarely miss any games either live or on video feed. They usually pick 1 day a week, usually Sunday, and move some players around. As Mike reported the last 2 years the most notable were AJax and Gardner playing leftfield once a week and the infielders get switched around also. This does not mean they are giving up on Montero as a catcher, although most scouts don’t see him as a fulltime catcher at the ML level.
You wanna impress me?
Have Montero take reps at pitcher.
Is living in SWB really as much fun as it seems?
(On a serious note, thanks for the info. I plan to check out a few games there this year.)
Video Feed?
Whats teh linkasaurus to that badboy?
On teh internets you can find anything. You can also buy MiLB.tv
I’m not sure if they carry ever single game but they carry a bunch.
Source: The Internet.
This isn’t surprising. He was unlikely to stick at catcher anyway. He’ll be the team’s full-time DH within three years.
Only took 68 comments to get the first one of these.
I don’t know if I’m proud or sad.
I think you’re proud and sad because it wasn’t you know who.
Be proud, Eric!!! We usually don’t get through a single one of your lame movie quotes or spreadsheets before someone says what everyone knows but dont want to hear.
Nicely done.
You used apostrophes, though. That was the one error you made. Step it up next time.
I only missed one! I’m not sure how frequently he uses commas to separate clauses, either. So that could be another error. Damn.
Next time…
FUN TRIVIA: Eric keeps his movie quotes ON spreadsheets so they’re easier to file and access.
Command-C, command-V, click add comment, hilarity ensues.
No, did you see how much he sucked at Venezuala? He’s a bust, and we should just release him now.
Would it not make more sense to work Montero out in right field. If there was a position he might be able to play other than catcher, right field makes moset sense to me. Right field in Yankees stadium is shorter than left and the ground to cover in left would be higher than in right? I could not imagine moving your best young hitting prospect and one of the best youn ghitting prospects in the game. If his bat is as good as advertised you have to find a spot for him in the lineup.
That spot:
Catcher
Ok that is fine too but if he could play right field you would create more options for the other catchers in the system-Romine-Murphy-Sanchez.
Based on every piece of information we know, out of the grouping of Montero, Romine, Murphy, and Sanchez, Montero’s the least likely to make a successful transition to the outfield.
Keep Montero behind the dish. If Austin Romine progresses and forces his way into the lineup, let ROMINE move to RF/LF. He’d handle the switch better than Montero, I’d surmise. Ditto all the other catchers we have, all of whom are better defenders and probably better athletes altogether than Montero, who’s a stud but also a bit of a plodder.
But the MSM keeps telling mryankee that Montero can’t stick at catcher!!!!!!!!
I am just saying if he cannot stick as catcher right field makes the most sense for me. You can keep the DH spot open for Posada and you have room for the other catchers who might be better defensively.
(unwraps burrito, wipes down microwave)
Montero’s future behind the plate has yet to be determined. Moving him at this time makes zero sense.
I also wonder if expectations for him as a catcher are too high. Do people expect him to be Johnny Bench or Joe Mauer behind the plate? If he is servicable can block the ball throw some people out his bat will make up for his defensive deficiencies.
I’m just giving you a hard time. He doesn’t seem to have a lot of foot speed. Imagine Posada or Molina playing right field. Would you want to see that? I think he stays at catcher until he can’t catch a ball at all.
I equate right field at Yankee Stadium to left field at Fenway Park. Unless he is completely immobile which is hard to believe for a 20 year old. If the decision was he is not a long term catcher then right field would be the most logical secondary position.
we will play all of our away games at Fenway? wicked awesome!!
This is all about Nick Johnson and his 2010 injury to come…..
Like his 2009 injury?
How is this at all about Nick Johnson and his expected 2010 injury? Montero is taking reps at 1B and Johnson’s natural position is 1B. However, for the 2010 NY Yankees, Nick Johnson will be playing DH and Mark Teixeira will be playing first for 150+ games.
Yeah but with NJ down, there will be no backup 1B.
What would be best for Montero’s development at this point would be to get into the majors, he has nothing left to learn at AAA. Let him join the team as the backup 1B when NJ gets injured at the end of April.
Swisher?
The backup 1B would be the same man who was the backup 1B last year:
Nick Swisher, the most interesting man in the world.
Second backup 1B: Jorge Posada
Third backup 1B: Juan Miranda
Fourth Backup 1B: Jose Molina
/sheds a single tear
Fifth Backup 1B: Melky Cabrera
/Drew runs off bawling
Actually, let’s play this out. And, we forgot an important name.
1st backup 1B: Nick Johnson
2nd backup 1B:
Nick SwisherMarcus Thames3rd backup 1B: Nick Swisher
4th backup 1B: Jorge Posada
5th backup 1B: Juan Miranda
6th backup 1B: Kevin Russo?
7th backup 1B: Jesus Montero
8th backup 1B: David Winfree
9th backup 1B: Jorge Vazquez
David Winfree has to wear #0, right?
Pena is in there too. Probably right around Posada.
Instead of #0, give him #O and see if anyone notices.
/Natinals’d
I was obviously joking, but I didn’t think about Swisher.
Also I didn’t get the outraged responses I was hoping for :()
What would be best for Montero’s development at this point would be to get into the majors, he has nothing left to learn at AAA. Let him join the team as the backup 1B when NJ gets injured at the end of April.
Montero is 20 years old and has played 44 games above A ball. Not to say that he’s not going to be a tremendous talent, but can he maybe play one game in AAA before we declare that his development is complete, move him off catcher, and make him a backup 1B/DH? The best thing for his development right now is getting as much time at catcher as he can.
Or:
burrito…microwave…etc.
Obviously joking man.
I don’t think sitting on the bench as a backup 1B is “best for Montero’s development right now”.
Sorry about that; it was so close to the “common sense” of he who will not be named that I mistook it for a passage from the scripture of the church of the batshit insane.
nothing to learn at AAA… besides catching skills you mean?
Actually, if Nick Johnson goes down I’d be willing to bet Posada and Montero tag team the DH and C spots if Montero shows that AAA isn’t a challenge for him. That way Posada, Girardi and Pena can work on his defense with him but he doesn’t have to play every game.
Have we completely written off Frankie Blue Eyes??? and…
What is our backup DH list once NJ gets his SEI?? (Season Ending Injury)
Do you mean Frankie 72 OPS+?
based on how many ML AB’s???
don’t worry, nobody would move cervelli off of backup in that scenario
Assuming all goes well, there will be about 10 games with Teix off of first.
This is just the Yanks due diligence, same as they would with any prospect. Has nothing to do with NJ imo.
dude, tex is gonna start every game of the season at 1B aside from maybe 5 when he DHs
besides, we have swisher as well
/knocks on wood
They’ll try everything to make sure hes a catcher before they put him at 1b. He obv has more value as a catcher. You will see him fall flat on his face behind the plate before they move him.
Talk bout the next Frank Thomas.
talk about a hole in one!
Hoping Montero gets the call if Tex, Nick Johnson, Jorge or Cervelli spends any time injured.
He is either a catcher or a DH. He may be able to pass as a first baseman for a little while, but how long will that be able to last. From all accounts of the guy, he is a masher in the mold of Travis Hafner, and he will be sub par at any position in the field. Him getting reps at first is just to have the possibility of DHing Teix, with Montero at first. There is no way he is going to play outfield these days with all the new defensive stats. He will be exposed far to easily out there.
If he can catch, great. But in reality, I would love him as a DH. Just focus on hitting, and having an absolute monster in the lineup for the next 15 years.