DENVER — It’s been nearly a year now since Jesus Montero hit rock bottom in Boise, Idaho. Since the night he snapped and charged toward the stands when taunted by a since-fired Seattle Mariners scout in a bizarre incident.
The transformation is remarkable. And ongoing.
Montero, at 25, has beaten the odds in reestablishing his credentials as a legitimate prospect while emerging as a feel-good story in what, for the Mariners, stands as a dismally disappointing season.
“Thank God for all of the support from my family,” he said. “All of the support from everyone helped me to keep everything on track. My daughter and my wife, they sacrificed a lot of things.
“I turned the page.”
Viewed as one of the game’s top prospects when acquired from the New York Yankees prior to the 2012 season, Montero nearly threw it all away.
His weight ballooned. His defensive struggles forced a rocky position change from catcher to first base. He battled injuries and received a 50-game suspension for his connection to the Biogenesis drug scandal.
The incident in Boise was the final straw. The Mariners suspended him, and his career hung in the balance. Montero vowed to change. The Mariners gave him another chance. A final chance.
“Initially, our expectations,” manager Lloyd McClendon said, “had nothing to do with the game of baseball. They had everything to do with the game of life.”
Montero turned heads at spring training after losing 45 pounds in the off-season. He remained upbeat when shipped to the minors early in camp and responded by producing eye-popping numbers at Triple-A Tacoma.
That led to a 10-day promotion last month. Montero played little — he got just 10 at-bats — but when it ended, he cheerfully returned to the Rainiers, vowing to work harder to get a longer opportunity.
“It was fun,” he said. “I want to keep working hard to get back here. I don’t know when. Maybe tomorrow. But I’m going to continue to do my best to be up here.”
Montero then batted .472 (17-for-36) in nine games at Tacoma with seven extra-base hits. That pushed his Triple-A season totals to a .346/.388/.551 slash (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) in 93 games.
“I was pushing harder,” he said. “I wanted to get back here. I was more focused about the pitchers, about hitting and all of that stuff. I wanted to do more damage.”
The Mariners recalled Montero last Friday as part of roster makeover after making three trades just prior to the non-waiver deadline.
And this time, Montero figures to get an extended look to determine whether he can replicate his success at the big-league level.
“I want to see Montero play,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “So does Lloyd. So he’s going to get his playing time.”
Montero went 4-for-8 in three weekend games at Minnesota with a homer and two doubles. He also flashed improved defensive footwork at first base. The redemption tour continues.
“I was talking with my wife,” Montero said, “and she’s so happy that all of that work we did last year is showing up. It’s been a lot better for me.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
