The Seattle Mariners' farm system witnessed remarkable progress during the 2024 season, with further enhancements brought about by the 2024 draft. By the season's conclusion, the Mariners transformed from being regarded as having a bottom-third farm system in Major League Baseball (MLB) to boasting one of the finest. They boasted eight prospects within Baseball America's top 100, more than any other club, and had five within MLB Pipeline's top 100.

Intriguing Prospects in the 2024 Draft

Seattle made astute selections in the draft, such as Mississippi State switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and 6-foot-4 prep pitching prospect Ryan Sloan with their first two picks. Both these players hold the potential to become top 100 prospects in the future. However, one of the standout minor leaguers in the Mariners' system, and indeed across all of baseball, is outfielder Lazaro Montes.

Montes' 2024 Accolades

Montes earned numerous honors for his exceptional 2024 performance. He concluded the season with the organization's High-A affiliate, the Everett AquaSox. He was awarded Seattle's minor league Hitter of the Year award and named the California League's Player of the Year during his time with the club's Low-A team, the Modesto Nuts. Additionally, he was jointly named the Mariners' Prospect of the Year by MLB Pipeline.

Baseball America's Scouting Report on Montes

Baseball America recently unveiled their updated top 10 organization prospects list. Montes emerged as the No. 7 player in the farm. The publication's scouting report on Montes highlighted his power as his defining trait. He swings with great force each time, accompanied by a back shoulder tilt and an uphill plane, indicating his determination to hit balls out of the park. As a teenager, his exit velocities already surpass those of many big leaguers. Montes does face challenges in making consistent contact, and his strikeout rate increased after his midseason promotion to High-A Everett in 2024. Nevertheless, he is willing to take walks, and pitchers often pitch around him, leaving room for optimism that his double-digit walk rate will persist as he progresses through the ranks. Montes is a relatively insignificant factor on the bases due to his poor acceleration, although his top straight-line speed is not terrible. In 2024, he made some improvements in the outfield, but his most likely outcome remains as a designated hitter, with some possibilities in right field and first base. He does not track balls well or take good routes, and he will always be a somewhat clumsy play finisher. However, he charges ground balls extremely well, enabling his average arm to perform better when coming in on outfield hits.Montes finished 2024 with a batting average of.288, accompanied by 21 home runs and 105 runs batted in (RBIs) in 116 games played. After his promotion to Everett, he hit.260 with eight homers and 33 RBIs in 55 games. Montes initially struggled in his first month with the AquaSox, batting just.127 in July before bouncing back with a.411 average in August.

Montes' Continued Prospect Status

Lazaro Montes continues to make an impact. He has once again demonstrated his prowess with back-to-back games featuring 2 home runs. This showcases his consistent ability to perform at a high level. Barring a decline in production or a halt in his development, Montes is likely to remain on many outlets' top 100 prospects list. He is regarded as the best power-hitting prospect within the Mariners' minor leagues.Baseball America predicts that Montes will split his time in 2025 between Everett and the team's Double-A club, the Arkansas Travelers. According to MLB Pipeline, he is projected for a 2026 call-up.Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE.