Francys Romero dropped the bomb Sunday night: Lazaro Montes is reportedly getting called up to the Seattle Mariners. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com quickly confirmed it, adding that the move is expected ahead of Tuesday’s game in Boston, right when rosters expand to 28 for September. Montes is already en route to Boston, but don’t hold your breath for Monday’s opener against the Red Sox, as he’s not necessarily expected to be activated yet. Get ready, Emerald City, because this kid is bringing some serious thunder.
Power Like We Haven’t Seen In Years?
This call-up is all about one thing: power. Montes has been absolutely mashing in the minors since he first came into pro ball, developing through the same program that produced Yordan Alvarez. And yeah, the comparisons have been constant, but Montes is his own kind of beast. We’re talking about a 21-year-old listed at 6’5, 210 pounds with a frame as massive as his smile. He absolutely clubbed 21 homers back in 2024 as a teenager, then smacked 32 last season across High-A and Double-A. This year? He’s gone yard 38 times in just 537 plate appearances between Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma. At every single level, Montes has consistently slugged, walked a ton, and yes, whiffed a lot too. But when he makes contact, he does some devastating damage.
The Profile: Massive Arm, High Risk, Sky-High Reward
Montes’ profile is fascinating. He’s got a .247/.365/.556 line this season, featuring a monster 14.3% walk rate. That’s patience! But then there’s the 30.7% strikeout rate, which is a bit tougher to swallow. For a guy his size, he moves well, but his foot speed isn’t going to light up the defensive metrics. Still, he’s got good baseline athleticism, which helps him make 50/50 plays. And his arm? Absolutely massive, something akin to an early-career Nelson Cruz. Plus, the dude is high-effort in every single phase, occasionally stunning opponents with his hustle. The big question mark is contact. His 71.1% in-zone contact rate and 64.4% overall contact rate with the Rainiers are definitely on the low side. In the big leagues, only Munetaka Murakami is worse among qualified hitters. Most guys are above 77% for in-zone contact. It’s a high-wire act, but when Montes connects, that ball is GONE.
This is a game-changer for the Mariners. We’ll be watching closely as Montes gets settled in Boston. We’re all looking forward to Tuesday’s game, hoping to see the titanic lefty take the field for the first time in the bigs and get a glimpse of that gargantuan power. The future just got a whole lot more exciting, folks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lookout Landing.
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