PIT
Elehuris Montero, IF
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Scouting report
Multiple wrist injuries made it impossible for Montero's 2019 to get off the ground, so toss out his lousy 60-game Double-A statline. His body looked great in the Fall League that year, and he still has a shot to stay at third base long-term because he's kept what used to be a big, softer body in check. His approach, however, is a problem. During some of his Fall League starts, Montero saw five pitches over the course of an entire game. During the regular season, he averaged just shy of 2.5 pitches per plate appearance. For comparison's sake, among big league hitters with at least 200 PAs in 2019, Willians Astudillo ranked last in pitchers per PA with 2.9; no other big leaguer was under three. From a hitting talent perspective -- the bat speed, primarily -- Montero has everyday upside, so he belongs ranked ahead of prospects who project to be lesser role players at best. But I'm weary of how swing-happy he is and think that at the very least, there will be growing pains as he climbs the minors and is forced to adjust to big league pitching. (Alternate site)