Lazaro Montes, the 21-year-old Cuban slugger regarded as one of the most powerful prospects in Seattle Mariners history, is expected to be promoted to the major leagues when MLB rosters expand Tuesday, according to major-league sources familiar with the team’s plans who confirmed the move to The Times.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound left-handed hitter is set to join the Mariners in Boston as rosters expand from 26 to 28 players. Under MLB rules, Seattle can also add one pitcher to its roster Tuesday.
Montes could provide an immediate boost to a Mariners offense that was limited to one hit Sunday in Toronto. Seattle was swept by the Blue Jays and will begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Monday.
Montes’ power numbers in the minor leagues
Ranked by Baseball America among the top 100 prospects in baseball, Montes has hit 38 home runs and driven in 96 runs in 122 games between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma this season.
He has been especially productive recently in Tacoma, posting a .292/.398/.656 slash line and a 1.054 OPS with 10 home runs, 22 RBI, 15 walks and 34 strikeouts in 96 at-bats in August.
The Mariners had been considering promotions for one of their two top hitting prospects: Montes or Michael Arroyo, a right-handed hitter and close friend who moved from Double-A to Triple-A with Montes earlier this summer.
Arroyo’s defensive limitations make him a more difficult fit for Seattle’s current roster. The 21-year-old developed as a second baseman, but scouts consider him a below-average defender at the position. He has primarily played left field for Tacoma recently, although he remains a work in progress there.
Montes is expected to receive regular at-bats with the Mariners while splitting time between right field and designated hitter.
Mariners’ $2.5 million investment in Montes
Seattle signed Montes in January 2022 for $2.5 million, one of the largest signing bonuses in franchise history for an international free agent. As a teenager, he drew comparisons to fellow Cuban Yordan Alvarez, the Houston slugger who is now considered the American League MVP favorite.
Montes has worked with Alvarez’s hitting instructor in the Dominican Republic. Controlling his strikeout rate has remained an important part of Montes’ development through the minor leagues.
His 38 home runs rank second across the minor leagues this season, but his 31.3% strikeout rate is the highest among Tacoma hitters this year.
Cuban baseball reporter Francys Romero first reported Montes’ promotion on social media Sunday.
Adam Jude is a Seattle Mariners beat writer at The Seattle Times. He previously covered UW Huskies football and the Seattle Seahawks for The Seattle Times.
