Rafael Montero (baseball)

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Rafael Montero
Montero with the New York Mets in 2016
Houston Astros
Pitcher
Born: (1990-10-17) October 17, 1990 (age 34)
Higuerito, Bánica, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 14, 2014, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record22–28
Earned run average4.71
Strikeouts459
Saves30
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Rafael Montero (born October 17, 1990) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization. Montero signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent in 2011, and made his MLB debut with them in 2014. He has also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners.

Minor League career

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 League career

New York Mets

2014

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, Montero recorded his first major league strikeout, by getting Derek Jeter 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.

2015

On April 17, 2015, Montero 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.

2016

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]

2017

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

2018: Lost season

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

2019

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]

2020

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 (PTBNL).[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

2021

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] He made four appearances for Houston, allowing one unearned run over six innings, three hits, two walks, and struck out five.[31]

2022

Montero avoided arbitration with the Astros on March 22, 2022, agreeing to a $2.275 million contract for the season.[32] He earned his first save of the season on April 28 pitching in the ninth versus the Rangers, while yielding a home run to Corey Seager before closing out a 3–2 win.[33]

Montero struck out two on July 3 in a 4–2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels[34] in which Astros pitchers struck out 20 batters to establish a franchise record in a nine inning contest.[35] Contributing were starter Framber Valdez (first six innings), Héctor Neris (7th), Montero (8th) and Ryan Pressly (9th).[a][34] On August 15, Montero endured a rare collapse as he was charged three of four runs in the eighth inning without having recorded an out, taking the loss in a 4–2 defeat versus the Chicago White Sox.[36] On August 31, 2022, Montero closed out the ninth versus the Rangers for his tenth save, the first time he had recorded double-figures in saves in a season.[37]

Over the 2022 regular season, Montero made 71 relief appearances and accumulated 68+1⁄3 innings, 2.37 ERA, 14 saves, and 5–2 W–L record, and allowed 47 hits, three home runs, and 23 bases on balls with 73 strikeouts. He ranked third in the AL in pitching appearances,[31] and tied for seventh in holds (23),[38] and ranked second on the Astros pitching staff in both holds and saves.[39]

Montero made his postseason debut on October 11, 2022, in Game 1 of the American League Division Series (ALDS). He pitched a clean ninth inning and was the winning pitcher in an 8–7 Astros' walk-off win over the Mariners.[40] Montero appeared in each game of the ALDS, delivered 3+1⁄3 shutout innings, allowed three total baserunners, and struck out three batters.[41]

On November 2, 2022, Montero relieved Bryan Abreu in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the World Series, with a no-hitter on the line. Montero came close to allowing a hit with two outs in the inning on a line drive to right field, but it was caught with ease by right fielder Kyle Tucker. Montero was then relieved by Ryan Pressly for the 9th inning, who completed the no-hitter.[b][42] The Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to give Montero his first career World Series title.[43]

Following the World Series, Montero became a free agent.[44]

2023

On November 15, 2022, Montero re-signed with the Astros on a 3-year, $34.5 million contract.[45] In 68 appearances for Houston in 2023, he struggled to a 5.08 ERA with 79 strikeouts across 67+1⁄3 innings pitched.[46]

2024

Montero made 41 appearances for Houston in 2024, compiling a 4.70 ERA, 8 home runs, 35 hits, 19 walks with 23 strikeouts and 1.409 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) in 38+1⁄3 innings of work. On July 31, 2024, Montero was designated for assignment.[47] He cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to the Triple–A Sugar Land Space Cowboys of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) on August 3.[48] At Sugar Land, he made 17 appearances, and recorded a 1–1 W–L, 2.20 ERA, 13 hits, 9 walks, 24 strikeouts and 1.347 WHIP in 16+1⁄3 innings.[22] The Space Cowboys proceeded to win a minor league-best 93 games, the PCL championship,[49] and the Triple-A National Championship Game, both the first championships of their respective type for Sugar Land.[50]

Personal life

Montero and his wife, Yasmina, have one daughter, born in 2020.[51]

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. ^ Astros pitching also established a record in that series by becoming the first team in major league history to record 48 strikeouts over a three game series without playing extra innings.[35]
  2. ^ The other no-hit contest in postseason play was pitched by Roy Halladay in the 2010 National League Division Series.
Sources
  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. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  22. ^ a b c "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 and 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. ^ Divish, Ryan (December 15, 2020). "Mariners acquire right-handed reliever Rafael Montero in trade with Rangers". Seattle Times. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  28. ^ Adams, Steve (June 14, 2021). "Rangers, Mariners complete Rafael Montero deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  29. ^ Adams, Steve (July 23, 2021). "Mariners designate Rafael Montero for assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  30. ^ McTaggart, Brian (July 27, 2021). "Astros trade for Graveman, Montero from M's". MLB.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  31. ^ a b "Rafael Montero stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  32. ^ Rome, Chandler (March 22, 2022). "Astros reach deals with all arbitration-eligible players, avoiding hearings". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  33. ^ "Tucker's pinch HR lifts Astros over Texas in starters' duel". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 28, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros box score". Baseball-Reference.com. July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  35. ^ a b McTaggart, Brian (July 3, 2022). "Peña walks it off with 2nd HR after Valdez, Astros fan 20". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  36. ^ "Moncada, Cueto lead White Sox past Astros 4–2". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  37. ^ "Altuve accounts for 4 runs, AL-best Astros beat Rangers 5–3". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  38. ^ "MLB player pitching stats 2022". ESPN. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  39. ^ "Houston Astros pitching stats 2022". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  40. ^ "2022 American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 1, Mariners at Astros". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  41. ^ "2022 AL Division Series - Houston Astros over Seattle Mariners (3–0)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  42. ^ "No-hitter draws Houston level in World Series". RTÉ.ie. November 3, 2022.
  43. ^ Rome, Chandler (November 5, 2022). "Undisputed: 'It proves we're the best team in baseball ... They have nothing to say now.'". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  44. ^ Rome, Chandler (November 12, 2022). "Astros make a deal to keep reliever Rafael Montero". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  45. ^ "Astros, reliever Montero agree on 3-year deal". MLB.com. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  46. ^ "Astros hope reliever Rafael Montero is set up for a rebound". houstonchronicle.com. February 28, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  47. ^ McDonald, Darragh (July 31, 2024). "Astros designate Rafael Montero for assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  48. ^ Polishuk, Mark (August 3, 2024). "Astros outright Rafael Montero to Triple-A". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  49. ^ Avallone, Michael (September 26, 2024). "Astros' Triple-A club sweeps its way to first Pacific Coast League crown". MLB.com. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  50. ^ Malcom, Timothy (September 29, 2024). "Sugar Land Space Cowboys win Triple-A crown, capping outstanding season". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  51. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (May 7, 2021). "Here's the delivery: MLB newborns of 2020". MLB.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rafael Montero (baseball).
Achievements
Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
November 2, 2022
(with Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, & Ryan Pressly) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Postseason no-hitter pitcher
November 2, 2022
(with Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, & Ryan Pressly) 		Succeeded by
Most recent
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