Rafael Montero (baseball)

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Rafael Montero
Rafael Montero on September 25, 2016.jpg
Montero with the New York Mets in 2016
Houston Astros – No. 47
Pitcher
Born: (1990-10-17) October 17, 1990 (age 31)
Higuerito, Bánica, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 14, 2014, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record13–21
Earned run average5.18
Strikeouts284
Teams

Rafael Montero (born October 17, 1990) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners.

Professional career[]

Minor leagues[]

Montero signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent on January 20, 2011.[1] Nearing his 21st birthday he signed at a much older age than most Dominican players. In his first professional season he went 5-4 with a 2.15 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 71 innings.

In 2012, Montero went 11-5 with a 2.36 ERA, with 110 strikeouts and 19 walks in 122 innings.[2] Prior to the 2013 season, Baseball America ranked him as the Mets' fifth best prospect.[3] He started the season with the Double-A Binghamton Mets.[4] He was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas 51s in June.[5]

In 2013, with Binghamton and Las Vegas went 12-7 with a 2.43 ERA with Binghamton and a 3.05 ERA with Las Vegas, with 150 strikeouts and 35 walks in 154.4 innings pitched.

Major leagues[]

New York Mets[]

Montero with the Mets in 2014

Montero was promoted on May 14, 2014, with Dillon Gee going to the disabled list with a lat strain.[6] Montero started against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on the same day. In the top of the third inning, he struck out shortstop Derek Jeter for his first major league strikeout on a 3-2 fastball.[7] He earned his second strikeout against Brett Gardner in the top of the fifth inning.[8] Montero earned the loss as the Mets lost 0-4 as he pitched six innings giving up 5 hits, 3 runs, 2 home runs, 2 walks and struck out 3. He was sent down on May 31 to make room for Buddy Carlyle on the roster.[9][10] On August 11, pitcher Jacob deGrom went on the disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis. Montero was called up on August 12 in deGrom's place.[11] On August 23, Montero was re-sent back to the 51s to make room for deGrom coming off the disabled list.[12] He was recalled on September 6 as part of the September call-ups.[13] He was later moved to the bullpen on September 13.[14] Montero finished the season with a 1-3 record, 4.06 ERA in 10 games with 42 strikeouts in 44.1 innings pitched with a WHIP of 1.511 while giving up 44 hits, 21 runs (20 of them earned), 8 home runs, and 23 walks.

On April 17, 2015, he was sent down to the 51s to make room for Danny Muno.[15] He was recalled up on April 27 to replace Muno on the roster.[16] A day later he was once again sent down as Jack Leathersich was called up.[17] On April 29, it was discovered that his rotator cuff was swelling and placed on the disabled list.[18] He was placed on the 60-day disabled list on July 24.[19] Montero would never pitch again in 2015.[20] Montero finished the season with a 0-1 record, 4.50 ERA in 5 games (one start) with 13 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched with a WHIP of 1.400 while giving up 9 hits, 6 runs (5 of them earned), and 5 walks.

Montero began the 2016 season with the 51s. He was called up on April 12, with Eric Campbell being demoted to the 51s.[21] Montero made one start with an ERA of 8.02 pitching 19 innings while giving up 23 hits, 17 runs (all earned), 4 walks and 16 strikeouts.[22]

In 2017 he was 5-11 with a 5.52 ERA.[22]

Montero underwent Tommy John Surgery after suffering a UCL tear and missed the entire 2018 season.[23] He elected free agency on November 3, 2018.

Texas Rangers[]

On December 4, 2018, Montero signed a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers.[24] Starting on June 17, Montero made appearances for the AZL Rangers, Frisco RoughRiders, and Nashville Sounds as he made his way back from Tommy John surgery. On July 22, 2019, the Rangers selected Montero's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[25] With Texas in 2019, Montero went 2–0 with a 2.48 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 29 innings.[26]

The following year, he was 8-for-8 in save opportunities, the first saves of his major league career, as he recorded a 4.08 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 17+2⁄3 innings during the pandemic-shortened season.

Seattle Mariners[]

On December 15, 2020, Montero was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Jose Corniell and a player to be named later.[27] The PTBNL, Andres Mesa, was sent to Texas on June 14, 2021.[28] In 40 games for the Mariners, Montero struggled to a 7.27 ERA with 37 strikeouts. On July 23, 2021, Montero was designated for assignment by the Mariners.[29]

Houston Astros[]

On July 27, 2021, Montero was traded to the Houston Astros along with Kendall Graveman in exchange for infielder Abraham Toro and pitcher Joe Smith.[30]

References[]

  1. ^ "Mets' N Rafael Montero realizing a lifelong dream". NJ.com. March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  2. ^ "Coleman: Rafael Montero, Cory Mazzoni Among Young Pitchers Impressing For Mets". CBS New York. March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  3. ^ "Baseball America New York Mets top 2013 prospects". Baseball America. December 14, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  4. ^ Jonathan Lehman (April 14, 2013). "Young gun could give Mets trade leverage". New York Post. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  5. ^ "New York Mets prospect Rafael Montero was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday". MLB.com. June 14, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  6. ^ "Dillon Gee to DL with lat strain". SNY. May 14, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  7. ^ "Video - Montero fans Jeter for first K". SNY. May 15, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  8. ^ "Video - Montero strikes out Gardner". SNY. May 15, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  9. ^ "Mets demote Rafael Montero to Las Vegas, recall Buddy Carlyle". Amazin' Avenue. SB Nation. May 31, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  10. ^ "Montero to the minors, Dice-K to get start Wednesday". SNY. May 31, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  11. ^ "Jacob deGrom to DL, Rafael Montero to start Tuesday". SNY. August 11, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  12. ^ "Mets option Rafael Montero to Las Vegas". Amazin' Avenue. SB Nation. August 23, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  13. ^ "Montero returning to Mets". SNY. September 6, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  14. ^ "Rafael Montero moving to bullpen". SNY. September 13, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  15. ^ "Montero optioned to Las Vegas to make room for Muno". SNY. April 17, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "Muno sent to Triple-A to make room for Montero". SNY. April 27, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  17. ^ "Montero sent down, Leathersich called up". SNY. April 28, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  18. ^ "Rafael Montero put on DL due to rotator cuff". SNY. April 30, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  19. ^ "Mets promote Conforto, move Cuddyer to DL, Montero to 60-day DL". SNY. July 24, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  20. ^ "Montero 'unlikely' to pitch for Mets again this season". SNY. August 24, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  21. ^ "Updated: Montero activated, Campbell to Triple-A". SNY. April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  22. ^ a b "Rafael Montero Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  23. ^ Danny Abriano (March 23, 2018). "Rafael Montero has torn UCL, to undergo Tommy John surgery". SNY. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  24. ^ "Rangers sign another pitcher coming back from Tommy John surgery an[]d lose one, too". The Dallas Morning News. December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  25. ^ T.R. Sullivan (July 22, 2019). "Kelley (biceps) hits IL; Texas calls up Montero". MLB.com. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  26. ^ T.R. Sullivan (August 25, 2019). "Veteran Montero looking like Comeback Kid". MLB.com. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  27. ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-acquire-right-handed-reliever-rafael-montero-in-trade-with-rangers/
  28. ^ "Rangers, Mariners Complete Rafael Montero Deal".
  29. ^ "Mariners Designate Rafael Montero for Assignment".
  30. ^ McTaggart, Brian (July 27, 2021). "Astros trade for Graveman, Montero from M's". MLB.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.

External links[]

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