Montanez picked for Topps' Double-A All-Star Team
Lou Montanez, who played in 116 games for the Bowie Baysox before being promoted to the major leagues in early August, was recently named to the Topps' Double-A All-Star Team.
The 26-year-old outfielder won the Triple Crown in the Eastern League after hitting .335 with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs. Montanez led all Double-A hitters with a .601 slugging percentage, and he was second in the classification with 63 extra-base hits. He was also first in the Eastern League with 90 runs scored.
In August, Montanez was honored as the Eastern League Most Valuable Player. He was also selected as a postseason All-Star in the league.
Montanez was chosen as Eastern League Player of the Month in July after batting .352 with eight home runs, 29 RBIs and 30 runs scored. He was named Eastern League Player of the Week twice during the regular season.
With the Orioles, Montanez hit .295 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 38 games. He hit a solo home run against Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Ervin Santana in his first at-bat in the majors on Aug. 6.
The Topps' Double-A All-Star Team consisted of five players from the Southern League, four players from the Texas League and three players, including Montanez, from the Eastern League.
Comments
Hmmm..better defensive skills than Luke Scott, bigger offensive potential....why isn't he the every day left fielder again?
Posted by: DCB | November 21, 2008 9:28 AM
Maybe its his awful 4/20 bb/k ratio? If he played everyday it wouldn't take that long for pitchers to take advantage of his lack of patience at the plate and his numbers would drop drastically.
Posted by: JamalSon | November 21, 2008 12:32 PM
I just hope this kid has a nail in his foot, and doesn't get traded to Pittsburgh for a shortstop. I am glad to see the development of talent in the organization.
Posted by: Vince Schuman | November 21, 2008 12:36 PM
Who says he has bigger offensive potential than Luke Scott? Montanez improved his status considerably this year and now *could* be a good 4th outfielder. That still has value, but he's not Luke Scott.
Posted by: Mike | November 21, 2008 12:47 PM
Montanez has only a portion of a year in the majors...it's premature to compare him to Scott. However, Scott didn't do as well as Montanez when he had his first taste of the majors. Montanez is 26 + Scott is 30 + the Orioles are supposed to be built to be successful in a few years = Play / develop Montanez and trade Scott for more pitching.
Posted by: Jim | November 21, 2008 3:24 PM
I'd be using Luis for a trading chip.If there's an heir apparent to LF it should be Reimold.
Posted by: John | November 22, 2008 4:38 AM
How did Topps manage to miss Matt Wieters for this all-star team? He was only the minor league player of the year!
Posted by: dave taylor | November 22, 2008 5:11 PM
Maybe Wieters, having split the season between A & AA didn't have the at bats to qualify. That seems to be the only logical reason unless someone else has a super catcher prospect in the wings as well.
Posted by: GregA | November 24, 2008 7:55 AM