A detailed view of the Seattle Mariners armed forces day hat in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park in 2023. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners Top Prospect Hits Major Personal Milestone - and Another Home Run

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 4:17 PM ET

Seattle Mariners top prospect Lazaro Montes hit another home run on Thursday for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, which came after he hit a major personal milestone: Conducting his first-ever interview in English.

Steven Davis, who broadcasts games for the Travelers, had that nugget on social media:

Proud of 20-year old Lazaro Montes who nailed his first ever English interview today. He talked with local Little Rock media and showed his energetic personality.

The Mariners prospect and current @ARTravs outfielder is headed to the MLB Futures Game in Atlanta this weekend.

Proud of 20-year old Lazaro Montes who nailed his first ever English interview today. He talked with local Little Rock media and showed his energetic personality.

The Mariners prospect and current @ARTravs outfielder is headed to the MLB Futures Game in Atlanta this weekend. pic.twitter.com/RkVS3mPUVH
— Steven Davis (@StevenDavisReal) July 10, 2025

"One of the best moments of my life."

Lazaro Montes recalled the moment he learned he would be representing the @Mariners and @ARTravs at the All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta. #TridentsUp https://t.co/h7C63zQtwW pic.twitter.com/IXejSjOkLS
— Jack Allen KATV (@JackAllenTV) July 11, 2025

Montes, who is from Cuba, is the No. 29 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. It's a major accomplishment when a non-US native learns English, and it's something we've seen in the big leagues with the Mariners, as Andres Munoz began doing all interviews in English last season.

Montes now has 23 home runs this season between High-A Everett and Arkansas, and he has 61 RBIs.

Another day, another moonshot for @Lazaro_Montes_! pic.twitter.com/Y4lhTh9BVw
— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) July 11, 2025

He also have five home runs in 15 games since getting promoted to Double-A, which is a much tougher level to hit at than Everett. He's projected to make his debut in 2026.

With the trade deadline looming and the Mariners in a position to buy, Montes will undoubtedly be in demand from rival teams. As one of nine M's players in the Top 100, they likely will do all they can to hold onto him.

He'll join Harry Ford and Jurrangelo Cijntje as M's players to play in the Futures Game this Saturday.

This article first appeared on Minor League Baseball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: