Luis Montanez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #29 prospect in 2009
  The Orioles were just looking for extra hitters to bolster the top of their system when they signed Montanez after the 2006 season, but he has shown enough that he now might be able to find a major league role. He won the Eastern League triple crown and MVP award in 2008, made his major league debut in August and homered off Nick Blackburn, Ervin Santana and James Shields. Baltimore kept him on its 40-man roster after the season. Montanez (then known as Luis) was the third overall pick in the 2000 draft coming out of high school, as a shortstop, but he never put it together with the Cubs. He struggled in the infield and didn't enjoy the defensive demands of playing there, so he moved to the outfield in 2004. He loves to hit and has shown the ability to hit for average and use the entire field against advanced pitching. He added power to his game last season, too. While he has the physical skills to play any outfield position, not to mention the infield, he's essentially limited to left field. He's a useful extra bat as an outfielder, but to be a big league regular he would have to move back to the infield, something that isn't happening. He should earn a spot as the fourth or fifth outfielder in Baltimore in spring training.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #28 prospect in 2007
  The third overall pick in the 2000 draft, Montanez may have as much upside as any of the Orioles' veteran acquisitions. He was drafted as a shortstop but his defensive problems seemed to affect him at the plate, so he went back to short-season ball and moved to the outfield in 2004. The move gave his career a boost and he reached Triple-A last season. The Orioles think his swing and power potential give him a chance to contribute in the big leagues. He adds needed athleticism and has handled all three outfield positions, though he's best suited to a corner, and he could even play back in the infield in a pinch. He has average speed. Montanez was invited to big league spring training and could serve Baltimore in a utility role, but he'll likely open the season in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #30 prospect in 2006
  Montanez won't ever live up to the expectations that come with going third overall in the 2000 draft, but moving from the middle infield to the outfield in mid-2004 resurrected a career that was going nowhere. He broke into pro ball by winning an MVP award in the Arizona League, but defensive woes at shortstop and second base affected him at the plate and he couldn't get past high Class A. Since going to the outfield, he has batted .294/.371/.482 and made it to Double-A and the Futures Game in 2005. Montanez has a good swing and approach, and he finally has started to hit for average and gap power. He controls the strike zone, though he does have a hole up and in. His speed and corner-outfield defense are OK, and he has a strong arm. He may yet make it to the majors as a backup outfielder who could fill in on the infield corners in a pinch. His bat slowed down some in Double-A in the second half of 2005, so he may go back there to start this season.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #14 prospect in 2003
  The No. 3 pick in the 2000 draft, Montanez has been promoted aggressively, reaching high Class A at age 20. In each of his two full seasons, he has started slowly before finishing with a strong second half. In 2002, he batted .240 through June 11 and .287 afterward. He's still viewed as an offensive middle infielder, with differing viewpoints as to whether he'll wind up at shortstop or second base. Montanez has the arm and hands to play either position, but he doesn't have the speed and range typical of most shortstops. He has made 64 errors in 213 games at short the last two seasons, many coming on errant throws. He looked good when he played second base for the first time as a pro last year. Since he won the Arizona League MVP award in his pro debut, Montanez' offensive production has leveled off as he has been challenged. He has good juice in his bat for a middle infielder, and his plate discipline improved last year. He should continue to improve, especially if the Cubs give him a chance to catch his breath. Montanez will play in Double-A at age 21 this year.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #10 prospect in 2002
  Though the Cubs struck a predraft deal worth $2.75 million with Montanez before taking him third overall in the 2000 draft, they say they valued his ability more than his price. Named MVP of the Rookie-level Arizona League in his pro debut, he got off to a rocky start at Lansing before adjusting as the season progressed. He hit .300 in the final month. Montanez has more offensive potential than the typical shortstop. He had 44 extra-base hits as a teenager in a full-season league, and he should add more power as he gets stronger and more experienced. He has solid hands and a strong arm at shortstop. Montanez isn't a bad runner, but he lacks the quickness associated with shortstops. His range is adequate, but some project him more as a second or third baseman. Many of his 32 errors last year came on errant throws, which can be addressed. He'll need to develop more plate discipline to develop offensively. The Cubs believe in Montanez as a shortstop, and think he'll be a good player if he hits as expected and plays average defense. He'll move up a notch to high Class A in 2002.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #6 prospect in 2001
  The Cubs selected Montanez third overall last June, then announced his signing on the draft conference call in the middle of the third round. They agreed to a predraft deal worth $2.75 million but insisted they would have taken him regardless. His debut Rookie-level Arizona League was spectacular, as he was named MVP and managers rated him as the circuit's top prospect. Montanez has been compared athletically to Alex Gonzalez, and he's a better hitter than the Toronto shortstop. He uses the entire field and the ball jumps off his bat, so he should develop above-average power for a middle infielder. He's a smooth defender with a strong arm. He isn't a blazer and won't be a big-time basestealer, though he has enough quickness to remain at shortstop. Despite exhibiting good plate discipline in his debut, he'll need to make better contact as he moves up the ladder. The Cubs have had just one all-star shortstop in the last 25 years (Shawon Dunston in 1988 and 1990), but Montanez should end that drought in the near future. He'll likely begin 2001 at Lansing and has a big league ETA of late 2003. Chicago also likes shortstop prospects Nate Frese and Jason Smith, but they won't stand in Montanez' way when he's ready.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #1 prospect in 2000
  Though he slumped at the plate in the final three weeks, Montanez hit .344 and generally displayed all the tools expected of a future big league shortstop. "For 18, he really has it figured out," Mariners manager Omer Munoz said. "He's got leadership qualities and presence, and reminds me of Alex Rodriguez at the plate in his approach." Montanez hit just two home runs, but finished second with 15 doubles and third with seven triples. It's expected he'll add true home run punch with maturity. "He can flat-out hit," Kuehl said. "The ball jumps off his bat. He makes solid contact and uses the whole field well. I expect he'll hit .300 at every level he plays." Though Montanez made 24 errors in 47 games at shortstop, he has smooth actions and the ability to come in or stay back on ground balls as needed. His speed and range aren't quite major league average, which raises questions about whether he eventually may move to third base.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #73 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Though he slumped at the plate in the final three weeks, Montanez hit .344 and generally displayed all the tools expected of a future big league shortstop. "For 18, he really has it figured out," Mariners manager Omer Munoz said. "He's got leadership qualities and presence, and reminds me of Alex Rodriguez at the plate in his approach." Montanez hit just two home runs, but finished second with 15 doubles and third with seven triples. It's expected he'll add true home run punch with maturity. "He can flat-out hit," Kuehl said. "The ball jumps off his bat. He makes solid contact and uses the whole field well. I expect he'll hit .300 at every level he plays." Though Montanez made 24 errors in 47 games at shortstop, he has smooth actions and the ability to come in or stay back on ground balls as needed. His speed and range aren't quite major league average, which raises questions about whether he eventually may move to third base.