Luis Montanez

Luis Anibal Montanez

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.

• High School Miami Coral Park High School
• Debut August 5, 2008
• Final Game September 28, 2011
• Born December 15, 1981 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico

• BR page

Biographical Information

Luis Montanez was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the 2000 amateur draft, the third overall pick of the draft. Signed by scout Mike Soper, he was a shortstop at the time, but his career stalled, as he proved to be unable to handle the position consistently in the minor leagues. He was turned into a centerfielder in 2007, to take advantage of his athleticism, but left the Cubs' organization as a free agent after the season.

Montanez finally blossomed after joining the Baltimore Orioles' organization in 2008. Playing center field for the Bowie Baysox of the Eastern League, he was leading the circuit in all three Triple Crown categories when he was called up by the Orioles on August 4th to replace the injured Adam Jones. His statistics included a .336 average, with a career-high 26 home runs (more than he had hit in any other two consecutive seasons combined, in fact), and 97 RBI. He got off on the right foot in the major leagues as well, homering in his first major league at-bat against Ervin Santana of the Los Angeles Angels on August 6th; he had made his long-delayed debut the previous day as a defensive substitute in left field. Pitcher Buster Narum had been the only other member of the Orioles to hit a home run in his first at-bat until then, having performed the feat in 1963. Montanez added another hit and run scored that night.

Montanez became the 5th EL Triple Crown winner in 2008 despite spending the final three weeks of the season in Baltimore. He followed Joe Munson (1925), Bob Chance (1963), George Scott (1965) and Danny Thomas (1976).

Notable Achievements

• 2000 MVP Arizona League AZL Cubs
• 2008 Player of the Year Eastern League Bowie Baysox

Related Sites

• Luis Montanez on mlb.com