Jesus Montero
From the Daily News:
While the Yankees were in the process of taking two of three games from the Mets this weekend, they were also beating out their intra-city rivals in the race to sign a top international prospect, the Daily News has learned. The Bombers inked Venezuelan catcher Jesus Montero almost immediately after the international signing period opened late Saturday night, sources said.
Montero, 16, is a right-handed hitter with tremendous power, according to scouts and the Yanks lured him away from the Mets and Red Sox, sources said, by offering the top bid of $2 million.
There had been talk of Montero switching positions (likely to first base) if he signed with other clubs, but the Yankees will keep him behind the plate.
“He’ll instantly become the highest catching prospect in our system,” GM Brian Cashman said. “One of our scouts believes he’s the best prospect to come out of Venezuela since Miguel Cabrera.”
This is exciting. The Yankees need catching prospects – badly.
OK, Montero is 16 and Posada is 34.
So, when Montero is 20, Posada will be 38.
It still sounds like the Yankees will need someone after Posada and before Montero.
And, besides, remember Jackson Melian? Not every 16-year old, can’t miss kid (that the Yankees throw millions at) makes it in the end.
Like I said, this is exciting – but, in a wait and see kind of way.
Montero will not make it as a catcher. He’s already 6’3, 230. He’s a first-baseman or DH. Great bat but that’s it.
Mitigating circumstances for Jackson Melian. Horrible what happened to his parents.
Steve, replying on ur earlier article on the Yankee hitting and scoring in June, the main reason is simply that they aren’t hitting with guys on, they strand guys by the dozens just about every game.
Main culprits? I’d say
A. Robison Cano: he was the second hottest Yankee in June … only Giambi was better… yet he had less RBI than MELKY CABRERA.. whom had a terrible June. the man simply doesn’t hit with guys on, his RISP for the season makes the A-rod choke in clutch theoriest look like morons.
B. A-rod, check the Yankee OPS and runs scored in May and u find the exact opposite situation, the Yanks scored a lot better than their OPS suggested. compile that with the fact that A-rod had a great May but a terrible June….
Yes, that’s what I said last week:
http://www.waswatching.com/archives/2006/06/ducks_on_the_po.html
Can we stay with Andy Philips much longer? His OBP is below .300 and that doesn’t cut it.
Bernie’s OBP is .313 and that doesn’t cut it either.
This team is a mess, yet still in the hunt for the AL East. The wildcard seems unlikely.