Top 25 OBP Outfield Prospects (10-1)
Moving on the Top 10 Outfield prospects. If you haven’t had a chance, be sure to check out rankings 25-11 here:
10. Lazaro Montes - Age 19.119 - Mariners
Height: 6’3“ Weight: 210lb Bats: Left Throws: Right
You may be a little surprised to see Montes this high but it’s not without good reason. The tall left-handed hitter has posted massive exit velos as an 18-year-old and perhaps that’s why it’s no surprise he’s already drawn comparisons to Yordan Alvarez. The Mariners signed the big international power hitting prospect with a huge $2.5M bonus out of Cuba in 2022 and he didn’t waste any time making them feel good about their investment. He put on an absolute show in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, posting a .284/.422/.585 (1.007 OPS) line with 10 HR and 28 XBH in just 56 games (223 PA), but there were definitely some concerns with his ability to make contact, as he struck out 33.2% of the time.
Coming over to play harder stateside competition in 2023, he proceeded to get even better. He started things off in Rookie ball and advanced to Low A at 18-years-old half way through the season. Between the two levels he hit a massive .303/.440/.560 (1.001 OPS) with 13 HR in 70 games (302 PA). The best thing was that despite playing harder competition, Montes improved his plate discipline. He dropped his K% down to 25.2% and increased his BB% to a robust 17.9% (from 15.7% in ‘22). Showing that type of improvement on the K% is encouraging. While he may be one that strikes out more than average, if he can keep it under 30%, it’ll play just fine with his ability to walk and hit nukes.
Montes makes loud, thunderous contact and has shown the ability to hit for average early in his career. He has all the tools to become a middle of the order hitter and develop into one of the games best power hitters. In 2024, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start in High A and advance to Double A later in the season if he’s still putting up numbers. That would put him on track for a late 2025 debut if all goes right. For his peak projection, I conservatively have Montes at .270/.360/.530 (.890 OPS) with 30 HR, but this is definitely the type of guy who could routinely put up an OPS eclipsing .900 with 40+ HR.
ETA: Late 2025/Early 2026