TAMPA — When Jesus Montero thinks about the Yankees’ season-opener with the Tigers on March 31, he has a clear vision of where he wants to be — and it ain’t Scranton.
“I want to be behind the plate,” Montero said yesterday. “I want to show everybody that I can catch with the Yankees.”
The 21-year-old catcher feels all of his potential is about to turn into production for the Yankees. The team’s top prospect has been working out at the minor-league complex for the last two weeks. Yesterday, Montero took batting practice before working on extensive catching drills. He looks slimmed down from last year, and he’s eager to play in the majors.
“I want to be in the big leagues this year,” Montero said. “I’m working really hard. I’ve spent more time here in the cage and doing catching things. I want to be with the team this year. I want to help them to win, too. I’m working really hard here.”
Montero faces a challenging path to make the team out of spring training. The Yankees signed Russell Martin in December to be the starting catcher. That leaves Montero fighting with incumbent Francisco Cervelli and fellow prospect Austin Romine for the backup catching spot, with Jorge Posada switching to regular DH duty.
If Montero proves he can help the Yankees, they also must evaluate whether he will get more out of another year starting at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre than playing sparingly in The Bronx. It is clear which one Montero thinks is the best option.
“I think being in the majors would be better,” he said. “Everybody wants to be there. I’m going to try to do the best to be with the team, learn real quick and help them.”
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman appreciates Montero’s desire, but sounds like he’s taking a more patient approach.
“Montero’s a very hungry, talented player,” Cashman said. “That’s a recipe for great success. He has huge talent and he’s hungry to be successful. That will be to our benefit, and his benefit. Russell Martin’s presence here will allow for that to develop and be finished off in the proper way rather than in a rushed way.”
It has been a strange winter for Montero. In November, the Yankees told Posada he was moving to designated hitter and that Montero would be given the chance to win the starting job. But they signed Martin a month later, leaving Montero hoping to be his backup.
Montero hit .289 with 21 homers last year in Triple-A. The Yankees are confident he’ll be solid at the plate — it’s behind the plate that he’ll have to answer questions. He said that’s an area in which he made strides last year.
“I did a good job last year, thank God,” Montero said. “I’ve got to work harder this year to show them that I can catch. I know that I can do it.”
There also is a question of whether Montero ever will get to realize his potential with the Yankees or if he will be with another team. With the Yankees searching for pitching, Montero’s name is going to appear in plenty of trade rumors over the next few months.
Montero said he hopes they’re only rumors.
“I want to be with the Yankees,” he said. “I want to stay with the Yankees my whole career.”