Johnny Monell

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #28 prospect in 2011
  A Bronx native, Monell is the son of a well-traveled former minor leaguer, also named Johnny, who played for 17 seasons on three continents. The younger Monell grew up soft-tossing with the likes of Jim Thome in winter ball in Puerto Rico and has lefthanded power of his own. He didn't disappoint in his first exposure to the Cal League and hit 19 home runs in the regular season, then connected for three more for San Jose in the championship series to win playoff MVP honors. He's more slugger than hitter and was being exposed by older competition in the Puerto Rican League over the winter. Monell was old for high Class A and his receiving skills remain raw. Pitchers generally like throwing to him, though, and he used his solid arm to throw out 29 percent of basestealers last year. Monell has a bulldog attitude that makes him a good competitor and teammate and he shows some ability as a game-caller. His arm is slightly above-average and he runs well for a catcher, hitting four triples and stealing 12 bases in 15 attempts. He remains an interesting platoon candidate if he can polish up his defensive skills. At his age, though, he can't afford to repeat any levels, so a move up to Double-A is in the offing.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #22 prospect in 2010
  Monell's father Johnny Sr. was an outfielder who reached Triple-A in the Mets system before continuing his career in Taiwan and several independent leagues. Johnny Jr. followed his dad around and received plenty of exposure to the game as a result. The Giants were intrigued by his lefthanded power as early as 2005, when they drafted him in the 27th round out of a Bronx high school. He turned them down to attend Seminole (Fla.) CC, then spurned the Mets as a 49th-rounder in 2006 before signing with San Francisco as a 30th-rounder in 2007. Monell's power potential could allow him to reach the big leagues as a platoon player, and he may be more than that because he hasn't been overmatched by lefthanded pitching. He has a good grasp of the strike zone. Monell has an above-average arm as well, leading the South Atlantic League by erasing 42 percent of basestealers in 2009. Though he has improved, he still hasn't mastered the art or receiving and committed 18 passed balls in 84 games last season. Pitchers like throwing to him, and his game-calling skills draw praise. The Giants need to accelerate his development because he'll enter the 2010 season as a 24-year-old who hasn't played above low Class A.