Elehuris Montero

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #8 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Signed at 16 by the Cardinals, Montero won Most Valuable Player of the Low-A Midwest League in 2018 but missed a large chunk of 2019 with hand and wrist injuries. He spent 2020 at the Cardinals’ alternate training site and was traded to the Rockies before the 2021 season as the top prospect in the deal that sent Nolan Arenado to St. Louis. Montero delivered a strong organizational debut in his first year in the Rockies system, leading the organization with 228 total bases and finishing second with 28 home runs and 86 RBIs as he rose from Double-A to Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: A big, physical masher at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Montero is an aggressive hitter who makes consistent hard contact that results in power to all fields. His above-average bat speed, a powerful frame and compact swing yields above-average power he gets to in games. Montero’s approach still needs to be refined. He’s an early-count swinger who needs to become more disciplined to get the most from his offensive skill set. Montero has plus arm strength at third base, but his big frame limits his mobility. His below-average speed and footwork make him a below-average defender and he spent an increasing amount of time at first base this year. Unless he slims down and gets quicker, first base is likely his long-term home.
  
  The Future: Montero has the offensive tools to be an impact hitter in the middle of the Rockies lineup if he can tweak his approach. Where he fits on the field is still to be determined, with a strong chance he ends up at DH.
  
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #8 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The MVP of the Midwest League in 2018, Montero's speedy ascent through the system hit a detour in 2019 when injuries to his wrist and hand caused him to miss significant time. When he did play, he struggled. The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster after the 2019 season and he spent 2020 at the Cardinals' alternate training site, where he struggled at times. The Rockies acquired him in February as the top prospect in the deal that sent Nolan Arenado to St. Louis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Montero has a wide stance and starts his swing with a very modest load. His bat stays in the strike zone a long time, giving him a chance to remain on plane with the ball, which should lead to line drives. He's strong enough to still get to average power despite his hit-over-power approach. His pitch recognition needs to improve, but his swing, hand-eye coordination and bat speed give him the potential to be an above-average hitter. At third base, Montero has a plus arm that has earned some plus-plus grades, but his range is limited and his thick body could lead to an eventual move to first.
  
  THE FUTURE: Montero's bounceback year had to be pushed to 2021 because of the pandemic. A fresh start in a new organization could get him back on track.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #11 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Montero raced up the Cardinals' system after signing for $300,000. He won MVP of the low Class A Midwest League in 2018 and was pushed aggressively to Double-A in 2019, when he hit his first speed bump. Montero missed three weeks with a wrist injury and another two months with a broken hamate. The combination of injuries, interrupted playing time and older competition contributed to a .188 average in 59 Double-A games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Montero's youth and tools hold promise despite his down year. He is a physical, strong hitter with excellent hand-eye coordination, bat speed and plus raw power. He does damage when he connects and uses the whole field. Montero got by on his natural gifts at lower levels and is still learning to develop a plan against upper-level pitchers. He has the physical skills to be an above-average hitter, though his pitch recognition and swing path regressed in 2019. Montero has the plus arm for third base, but his thick body limits his range and makes him a fringe-average defender likely to move to first base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Evaluators remain bullish on Montero's bat and consider 2019 a lost year. His health and improvements to his approach will be key to watch in 2020.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #5 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The Cardinals signed Montero for $300,000 out of the Dominican Republic shortly after he turned 16 in 2014 and pushed him quickly. After playing in the Dominican Summer League at 16 and making his U.S. debut at age 18, Montero made his full-season debut in 2018 and won MVP of the low Class A Midwest League. He led the MWL in batting average (.322), slugging percentage (.504) and OPS (.910) before a late-season late promotion to high Class A Palm Beach.
  
  Scouting Report: Montero is a physical, strong-bodied hitter whose bat has a chance to be "special"in one evaluator's words. He possesses supreme hand-eye coordination, drives the ball to all fields with plus raw power and has enough bat speed to overcome his holes. He makes quick in-game adjustments and got better at understanding pitchers' plans as the year went on. Montero is still learning to pull the ball, and once he does evaluators project him for 25-30 home runs while maintaining a steady average. Montero has average hands and a plus arm at third base, but his big frame limits his mobility and overall he is fringe-average defender. He particularly needs to improve his footwork, rhythm and coordination in order to maintain his accuracy on his throws.
  
  The Future: Whether Montero stays at third base or moves to first or the outfield, he has the bat to make an impact. He'll begin 2019 at high Class A Palm Beach.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Texas League #12 prospect in 2019
  The Cardinals pushed Montero to Double-A Springfield in 2019 despite the fact that he’d played only 24 games above the low Class A level before this season. The aggressiveness backfired, as Montero struggled mightily while also dealing with injuries that limited him to 59 games. His .552 OPS would have ranked last among qualified hitters had he received enough at-bats. Still, evaluators remained bullish on Montero’s offensive potential and saw the ability to hit for a high average and above-average power in the future. In scouts’ eyes, Montero’s struggles were simply a product of him being injured and overmatched as one of the league’s youngest players. Montero has a plus arm that plays at third base, but his lack of range and mobility may push him to first base in the future. A repeat year in Double-A is warranted, with the hope that full health will allow him to blossom.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #9 prospect in 2018
  Montero's special hand-eye coordination stands out. He led the MWL in batting average (.322), slugging (.529) and OPS (.910) and became the Cardinals' first Midwest League MVP since Albert Pujols in 2000. Montero shows plus raw power in batting practice. He pulls the ball for home runs, but he hits plenty of doubles to right field and should eventually develop all-fields home run power. He is vulnerable to a pitcher with a plan, but his hand-eye coordination, bat speed and barrel control give him a chance to develop into a plus hitter with plus power. Montero is a below-average defender at third base who may have to slide to first base eventually unless he works his way to fringe status by taking thousands of ground balls.
• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #9 prospect in 2017
  Montero received the biggest international bonus among Cardinals position players in 2014, when he signed for $300,000. Despite playing nearly the entire GCL season at 17, Montero was one of the most polished hitters in the league. Montero has natural feel for hitting and a mature approach. He hits all types of pitches, turning around good velocity and maintaining his balance on offspeed stuff. He makes consistent contact with a swing that generates loft, allowing him to tap into his plus raw power in games. Montero is a big-bodied player who will always have to keep his conditioning in check. He's done that well so far and shows quick reflexes are third base to complement an above-average arm. Scouts were mixed on his hands though, and he will have to improve his first-step quickness and footwork, especially coming in on the ball.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #81 prospect in 2019

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Signed at 16 by the Cardinals, Montero won Most Valuable Player of the Low-A Midwest League in 2018 but missed a large chunk of 2019 with hand and wrist injuries. He spent 2020 at the Cardinals&#39 alternate training site and was traded to the Rockies before the 2021 season as the top prospect in the deal that sent Nolan Arenado to St. Louis. Montero delivered a strong organizational debut in his first year in the Rockies system, leading the organization with 228 total bases and finishing second with 28 home runs and 86 RBIs as he rose from Double-A to Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: A big, physical masher at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Montero is an aggressive hitter who makes consistent hard contact that results in power to all fields. His above-average bat speed, a powerful frame and compact swing yields above-average power he gets to in games. Montero&#39s approach still needs to be refined. He&#39s an early-count swinger who needs to become more disciplined to get the most from his offensive skill set. Montero has plus arm strength at third base, but his big frame limits his mobility. His below-average speed and footwork make him a below-average defender and he spent an increasing amount of time at first base this year. Unless he slims down and gets quicker, first base is likely his long-term home.
  
  The Future: Montero has the offensive tools to be an impact hitter in the middle of the Rockies lineup if he can tweak his approach. Where he fits on the field is still to be determined, with a strong chance he ends up at DH.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Signed at 16 by the Cardinals, Montero won Most Valuable Player of the Low-A Midwest League in 2018 but missed a large chunk of 2019 with hand and wrist injuries. He spent 2020 at the Cardinals’ alternate training site and was traded to the Rockies before the 2021 season as the top prospect in the deal that sent Nolan Arenado to St. Louis. Montero delivered a strong organizational debut in his first year in the Rockies system, leading the organization with 228 total bases and finishing second with 28 home runs and 86 RBIs as he rose from Double-A to Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: A big, physical masher at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Montero is an aggressive hitter who makes consistent hard contact that results in power to all fields. His above-average bat speed, a powerful frame and compact swing yields above-average power he gets to in games. Montero’s approach still needs to be refined. He’s an early-count swinger who needs to become more disciplined to get the most from his offensive skill set. Montero has plus arm strength at third base, but his big frame limits his mobility. His below-average speed and footwork make him a below-average defender and he spent an increasing amount of time at first base this year. Unless he slims down and gets quicker, first base is likely his long-term home.
  
  The Future: Montero has the offensive tools to be an impact hitter in the middle of the Rockies lineup if he can tweak his approach. Where he fits on the field is still to be determined, with a strong chance he ends up at DH.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The MVP of the Midwest League in 2018, Montero's speedy ascent through the system hit a detour in 2019 when injuries to his wrist and hand caused him to miss significant time. When he did play, he struggled. The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster after the 2019 season and he spent 2020 at the Cardinals' alternate training site, where he struggled at times. The Rockies acquired him in February as the top prospect in the deal that sent Nolan Arenado to St. Louis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Montero has a wide stance and starts his swing with a very modest load. His bat stays in the strike zone a long time, giving him a chance to remain on plane with the ball, which should lead to line drives. He's strong enough to still get to average power despite his hit-over-power approach. His pitch recognition needs to improve, but his swing, hand-eye coordination and bat speed give him the potential to be an above-average hitter. At third base, Montero has a plus arm that has earned some plus-plus grades, but his range is limited and his thick body could lead to an eventual move to first.
  
  THE FUTURE: Montero's bounceback year had to be pushed to 2021 because of the pandemic. A fresh start in a new organization could get him back on track.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The MVP of the Midwest League in 2018, Montero's speedy ascent through the system hit a detour in 2019 when injuries to his wrist and hand caused him to miss significant time. When he did play, he struggled. The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster after the 2019 season and he spent 2020 at the Cardinals' alternate training site, where he struggled at times. The Rockies acquired him in February as the top prospect in the deal that sent Nolan Arenado to St. Louis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Montero has a wide stance and starts his swing with a very modest load. His bat stays in the strike zone a long time, giving him a chance to remain on plane with the ball, which should lead to line drives. He's strong enough to still get to average power despite his hit-over-power approach. His pitch recognition needs to improve, but his swing, hand-eye coordination and bat speed give him the potential to be an above-average hitter. At third base, Montero has a plus arm that has earned some plus-plus grades, but his range is limited and his thick body could lead to an eventual move to first.
  
  THE FUTURE: Montero's bounceback year had to be pushed to 2021 because of the pandemic. A fresh start in a new organization could get him back on track.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The MVP of the Midwest League in 2018, Montero's speedy ascent through the system hit a detour in 2019 when injuries to his wrist and hand caused him to miss significant time. When he did play, he struggled. The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster after the 2019 season and he spent 2020 at the Cardinals' alternate training site, where he struggled at times. The Rockies acquired him in February as the top prospect in the deal that sent Nolan Arenado to St. Louis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Montero has a wide stance and starts his swing with a very modest load. His bat stays in the strike zone a long time, giving him a chance to remain on plane with the ball, which should lead to line drives. He's strong enough to still get to average power despite his hit-over-power approach. His pitch recognition needs to improve, but his swing, hand-eye coordination and bat speed give him the potential to be an above-average hitter. At third base, Montero has a plus arm that has earned some plus-plus grades, but his range is limited and his thick body could lead to an eventual move to first.
  
  THE FUTURE: Montero's bounceback year had to be pushed to 2021 because of the pandemic. A fresh start in a new organization could get him back on track.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Montero raced up the Cardinals’ system after signing for $300,000. He won MVP of the low Class A Midwest League in 2018 and was pushed aggressively to Double-A in 2019, when he hit his first speed bump. Montero missed three weeks with a wrist injury and another two months with a broken hamate. The combination of injuries, interrupted playing time and older competition contributed to a .188 average in 59 Double-A games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Montero’s youth and tools hold promise despite his down year. He is a physical, strong hitter with excellent hand-eye coordination, bat speed and plus raw power. He does damage when he connects and uses the whole field. Montero got by on his natural gifts at lower levels and is still learning to develop a plan against upper-level pitchers. He has the physical skills to be an above-average hitter, though his pitch recognition and swing path regressed in 2019. Montero has the plus arm for third base, but his thick body limits his range and makes him a fringe-average defender likely to move to first base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Evaluators remain bullish on Montero’s bat and consider 2019 a lost year. His health and improvements to his approach will be key to watch in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Montero raced up the Cardinals' system after signing for $300,000. He won MVP of the low Class A Midwest League in 2018 and was pushed aggressively to Double-A in 2019, when he hit his first speed bump. Montero missed three weeks with a wrist injury and another two months with a broken hamate. The combination of injuries, interrupted playing time and older competition contributed to a .188 average in 59 Double-A games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Montero's youth and tools hold promise despite his down year. He is a physical, strong hitter with excellent hand-eye coordination, bat speed and plus raw power. He does damage when he connects and uses the whole field. Montero got by on his natural gifts at lower levels and is still learning to develop a plan against upper-level pitchers. He has the physical skills to be an above-average hitter, though his pitch recognition and swing path regressed in 2019. Montero has the plus arm for third base, but his thick body limits his range and makes him a fringe-average defender likely to move to first base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Evaluators remain bullish on Montero's bat and consider 2019 a lost year. His health and improvements to his approach will be key to watch in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  The Cardinals pushed Montero to Double-A Springfield in 2019 despite the fact that he’d played only 24 games above the low Class A level before this season. The aggressiveness backfired, as Montero struggled mightily while also dealing with injuries that limited him to 59 games. His .552 OPS would have ranked last among qualified hitters had he received enough at-bats. Still, evaluators remained bullish on Montero’s offensive potential and saw the ability to hit for a high average and above-average power in the future. In scouts’ eyes, Montero’s struggles were simply a product of him being injured and overmatched as one of the league’s youngest players. Montero has a plus arm that plays at third base, but his lack of range and mobility may push him to first base in the future. A repeat year in Double-A is warranted, with the hope that full health will allow him to blossom.