TEREN'S TAKE: It's Time to See What Lazaro Montes Can do in Double-A

Including his 51 games with Everett in 2024, Montes has hit 21 home runs with 71 RBIs in 103 games at the High-A level.

The 19-year-old Montes earned the California League MVP for his first half of the season with the Single-A Modesto Nuts in 2024. At his current pace, he has a good chance and being named Northwest League MVP for his first half this year.

The first half of the AquaSox's season ends July 13 before a four-day break coinciding with the MLB All-Star break. When the second half of the year begins July 18, Montes should be on the Double-A Arkansas Travelers' roster.

Montes' numbers with the AquaSox in 2024 compared to 2025 are eerily similar. His batting average, slugging, OPS, home runs and triples are the statistics that improved the most for him this year. Going into this season, the biggest concern for Montes was his plate discipline.

He has the exact number of walks this year as he did last year (35) and his strikeouts are slightly down this season (35) compared to last (39). Perhaps the biggest takeaway from last year's and this year's stint in High-A has been his power numbers have gone up while his chase rate has decreased.

Montes is being more deliberate in hunting for his pitches and has become a more complete hitter, which has led him to better utilize his power.

The next question in his development will be how well his power translates to the Travelers' home of Dickey-Stephens Park.

The AquaSox's home park of Funko Field is considered to be the most hitter-friendly ballpark in the Mariners' farm system. Dickey-Stephens Park (in North Little Rock, Ark.) is considered the most difficult.

If Montes' power and improved plate discipline maintains at Double-A, it eliminates many concerns about how well the 2022 international signing's game will translate to the difficult hitting environment of T-Mobile Park. That's why it's important for Seattle to see how well Montes does in Arkansas as soon as possible. The sooner he heads to Dickey-Stephens Park, the quicker he can either cement his status as a future big leaguer or start making the improvements he needs to be one.

Montes is projected for a 2026 call-up according to MLB Pipeline, but all of the team's current starting outfielders of Julio Rodriguez, Randy Arozarena, Victor Robles, Luke Raley and Leody Taveras are under contract through that season.

The Mariners are under no pressure to rush Montes' development, and they've been patient with their top prospects this year. But it does the club, and Montes, no favors to keep him in Everett in the second half.

It's time for him to head to Arkansas.

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