Luke Montz

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #29 prospect in 2009
  Montz has worked hard to make himself into a legitimate prospect. He had a reputation as a horrible defensive catcher early in his career, a label that gained traction when he hit Collin Balester in the head while trying to throw a ball to second base in 2005. Montz split time between catcher and first base until 2007, when he became a full-time catcher and started making big strides on his defense. He had a breakout year at Double-A in 2008 and finished the season in the big leagues, where he appeared somewhat intimidated and overmatched at the plate. Montz has above-average power but it's almost exclusively to the pull side. He started using the opposite field better at Harrisburg and adopted a more patient approach. Montz has a strong arm and threw out 37 percent of basestealers last season. Working with former catchers Bobby Henley, John Stearns, Randy Knorr and Bob Boone over the last two years has helped his defense, but Monz still needs plenty of work on his blocking and receiving. He may never catch well enough to be an everyday player, but he can be a valuable backup catcher with a power bat off the bench.

• December, 2008 Scouting Report
  Montz has worked hard to make himself into a legitimate prospect. He had a reputation as a horrible defensive catcher early in his career, a label that gained traction when he hit Collin Balester in the head while trying to throw a ball to second base in 2005. Montz split time between catcher and first base until 2007, when he became a full-time catcher and started making big strides on his defense. He had a breakout year at Double-A in 2008 and finished the season in the big leagues, where he appeared somewhat intimidated and overmatched at the plate. Montz has above-average power but it's almost exclusively to the pull side. He started using the opposite field better at Harrisburg and adopted a more patient approach. Montz has a strong arm and threw out 37 percent of basestealers last season. Working with former catchers Bobby Henley, John Stearns, Randy Knorr and Bob Boone over the last two years has helped his defense, but Monz still needs plenty of work on his blocking and receiving. He may never catch well enough to be an everyday player, but he can be a valuable backup catcher with a power bat off the bench.