The Seattle Mariners are trying to rebuild their franchise and the team made a huge deal back in January that sent Michael Pineda to New York for catching prospect Jesus Montero. While the loss of Pineda will be felt immediately, Montero, a catching prospect who may end up as a DH, could develop into a slugger for many years to come.
Keith Law of ESPN is a big fan of Montero and loves his upside. The scouting guru included him among his top-targets to have a breakout season in 2012. We have a snippet from Law after the jump...
Here is Keith Law on Montero:
3. Jesus Montero, DH/C | Top 100 rank -- 9: He can't catch, but once the Mariners realize that and put him at DH, watch out, as Montero has the kind of all-fields power that should play even in the humbling environment of Safeco, as well as enough plate discipline to post a strong OBP and get himself into good hitters' counts.
Many expect the Mariners to give Montero every chance to handle the starting job for as long as they can, and if he can stay behind the plate it would undoubtably increase his value going forward. Even if he does not pan out as a catcher and has to move to designated hitter, Seattle will still have a slugger capable of driving in a ton of runs for years to come.
For more on Montero and the Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing.