The Keepers: - #86 - P - Rafael Montero

86.     Rafael Montero:

6-4-11: - Somebody named Rafael Montero pitched five perfect innings for the DSL1 team last night, striking out six. I don’t have anything on him other than the fact he is a 6-0 righty and is 20-years old. That’s two starts so far this year: 1.13, 1-ER, 8.0-IP, 12-K. We’ll keep an eye on him.

7-20-11: - Please welcome our newest member of the “Keepers” list. Montero started this year with the DSL team, where he went 1-1, 1.00, in four starts. Now, he’s pitching for the GCL team and he is 1-1, 1.96, after five games, three starts. For the year combined, he’s got 44-K and only 6-BB in 41.0-IP. We need to keep an eye on this 6-0 right handed 20-year old.

8-9-11: - From Paul DePodesta - There’s one who is already over here in the States and has moved past the GCL and is into Kingsport. Rafael Montero is a right-handed pitcher. He’s a little older. He’s 20 already and I think was just about 20 or already 20 when we signed him. But he has a good arm, a good feel and it’s a legitimate three-pitch mix. It’s low- to mid-90s. Good body. Good command. He’s an interesting package

8-23-11: - DSL 2011 End of Season Wrap-Up - http://www.nyfuturestars.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35808&sid=e8719b8eddffd9bc033d0ab708d8aff5  - Rafael Montero: 20 year old SP, started out great in the DSL. 4 starts, 18 IP, 7 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB: 20 K - He then moved on to the GCL where in 7 games (4 starts) he produced a 1.45 ERA, with 32 K and just 6 BB in 31 innings - That was good enough to bump him to Kingsport where he has since struggled, with a 6.00 ERA in 3 starts, where his usual good BB:K ratio now 6 BB:5 K in 12 innings

8-28-11: - Stock Up – SP Rafael Montero – We recently added Montero to a prominent position on “The Keepers” list, and last night’s outing proved why that was done: 5.0-IP, 0-R, 4-H, 4-K, 0-BB. His stats for the season are: 7-G, 1-2, 1.45, 1.09, 32-K, 31.0-IP, 6-BB, .308-BABIP, 2.41-FIP.

9-23-11: - http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/team/players/index.html?player_id=182  -

Enters his first season in the Mets organization ... Began 2011 with the DSL Mets (R), compiling a 1-1 record with a 1.00 ERA in four starts. Also recorded 20 strikeouts in 18.0 innings of work ... Appeared in seven games for the GCL Mets (R), making four starts and finishing with a 1-2 record and a 1.45 ERA ... Earned his first win in the Gulf Coast League vs. the GCL Cardinals 07/14/11.  In the victory, Montero scattered four hits, struck out nine, and allowed just one unearned run in 6.0 strong innings of work ... Made four starts for the Kingsport Mets (R), going 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA ... Signed with the New York Mets as an non-drafted free agent.

9-23-11: - http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com  - Baseball America is into their league-by-league top 20 lists and has named Mets RHP Rafael Montero the #20 prospect in the GCL. Ben Badler wrote this about Montero: Montero’s best pitch is his fastball, which sits at 90-93 mph and touches 95 with late hop, making it tough for hitters to pick up. His fastball plays up because his command of the pitch was so advanced for Rookie ball. He’ll need to improve his secondary pitches, a fringy changeup and a below-average breaking ball, though he throws them both for strikes.

9-23-11: - Hyde feels that Montero is old enough, and bold enough, to pitch Savannah next spring. I have him in Brooklyn, but, in this case, I hope Toby is right, but I’d rather he stay in extended camp to improve his secondary pitches rather than blow up on paper. We’ll see.