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NWinAZ
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Lazaro Montes looks like a beast. 6'3" 225 LB
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 65 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 40 | Overall: 50
Heralded with as much hype as any power hitter in the 2021-22 international class, Montes joined the Mariners for $2.5 million as MLB Pipeline's No. 8 prospect among that group. He experienced some initial lumps during his first year in the Dominican Summer League, with a 33.2 percent strikeout rate and high overall whiff rates, but through a deliberate shift in approach, he managed to cut those numbers significantly upon arriving stateside. The clearest hole in his swing is firm stuff at the top of the zone.
With more focus on pitch selection and patience, knowing that he can scare pitchers out of the zone more, Montes cut down the Ks to a 25 percent clip and was an integral part of helping Low-A Modesto win the California League title, thriving in key moments during that playoff run. Nothing stood out more than his raw power, which has legitimate 80-grade potential based on multiple exit velocity readings beyond 110 mph, thanks mostly to swinging at the right pitches. The obvious comparison -- one that he's publicly made himself -- is to fellow Cuba native Yordan Alvarez. Both trained with famed hitting instructor Aldo Marrero as amateurs.
Montes' glove won't be his calling card, particularly with below-average range. He'll have to prove everybody wrong to stick in the outfield, as his body and hitting profile project designated hitter by the time he reaches the Majors. Multiple scouts have rightfully pointed out how hard it is to overstate how big he is.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 65 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 40 | Overall: 50
Heralded with as much hype as any power hitter in the 2021-22 international class, Montes joined the Mariners for $2.5 million as MLB Pipeline's No. 8 prospect among that group. He experienced some initial lumps during his first year in the Dominican Summer League, with a 33.2 percent strikeout rate and high overall whiff rates, but through a deliberate shift in approach, he managed to cut those numbers significantly upon arriving stateside. The clearest hole in his swing is firm stuff at the top of the zone.
With more focus on pitch selection and patience, knowing that he can scare pitchers out of the zone more, Montes cut down the Ks to a 25 percent clip and was an integral part of helping Low-A Modesto win the California League title, thriving in key moments during that playoff run. Nothing stood out more than his raw power, which has legitimate 80-grade potential based on multiple exit velocity readings beyond 110 mph, thanks mostly to swinging at the right pitches. The obvious comparison -- one that he's publicly made himself -- is to fellow Cuba native Yordan Alvarez. Both trained with famed hitting instructor Aldo Marrero as amateurs.
Montes' glove won't be his calling card, particularly with below-average range. He'll have to prove everybody wrong to stick in the outfield, as his body and hitting profile project designated hitter by the time he reaches the Majors. Multiple scouts have rightfully pointed out how hard it is to overstate how big he is.
