The Cardinals have added third base prospect Elehuris Montero to their 60-man player pool for Summer Camp, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak tells reporters (Twitter link via Mark Saxon of The Athletic). He’ll head to their camp at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, bringing their current player total to 45.
Montero, 21, was one of the Cardinals’ very best prospects and landed on Baseball America’s Top 100 list heading into the 2019 season. He’d torn through Class-A in 2018, raking at a .322/.381/.529 batting line (157 wRC+) at just 19 years old. His stock, however, took a tumble in 2019 when he looked overmatched against Double-A opposition, hitting just .188/.235/.317 in 59 games. Montero was nearly four years younger than the average competition he was facing in the Texas League, though, so the downturn in production isn’t as concerning as it might’ve been for an older player.
The lost minor league season won’t do any favors to young players like Montero — those in need of a rebound after a poor season. But by placing him in the 60-man player pool, the Cards will at least be able to give him some developmental reps along with big leaguers and other well-regarded prospects. Montero was added to the team’s 40-man roster this past offseason, though it still seems unlikely that he’d be called to the Majors anytime soon after such pronounced struggles in Double-A a year ago.
With 15 more slots available, putting him on the 60-man to get some work in seems like a no-brainer call.
I hope he makes it to the MLB just because of his very cool name
throw him in a package for Jon Gray
Not mentioned is his 2 wrist injuries during his subpar season last year. Obviously that will cause diminished results. Let’s hope he is recovered.
I’d package him for jon gray. I’d trade carlos Martinez too, to the mets for diaz. Not sure if something else would have to be added on either side but could see diaz as a rebound candidate and moving carlos payroll would help next year. Jon gray could then step into the rotation if waino isnt signed. Maybe Montero, elledge and connor jones for gray? Like to see Fowler moved next year, even if we pay most his salary and arenado maybe dealt for. Pipe dreams
There is no better time than now to trade Carlos (The Head Case) Martinez in a package for a bonified #4 hitting impact bat!!! Plus, make Carpenter a substitute player. Not an every day starter.
Trade C Mart for a … bonafied … # 4 hitter?
Ok, like whom? Which team will give that up for C Mart?
We never find out for sure what Judge Smails’s first name is, but “Elehuris” sounds pretty close to what his wife calls him.