Carig's Q&A With Jesus Montero

Marc Carig recently spoke with Yankees top prospect Jesus Montero and asked him about his throwing, hitting long home runs, and fixing cars. Here is some of the Q&A:

Now they’ve even changed your throwing mechanics to help you get rid of the ball quicker?

They’ve tried to help me a little bit to throw the ball faster to second base. Last year, I got a lot of outs when they told me that, more than before. I’ve been working really good with that. Now, let’s wait for the game, see what we can do. ... Now I feel more comfortable because I get rid of the ball quicker than before.

You’re always smiling when you’re hitting. What is it about hitting that makes it look like you’re having a great time out there?

I like to have fun when I’m hitting. I love to hit. If we don’t hit in baseball, it’s not baseball. This is the best thing in my life: hit home runs, have fun, hit batting practice. Hitting for me is the best thing in my life.

...

Do you think it’s realistic right now, to be in the majors this season?

Well, that’s what I’m hoping for this year, for that opportunity. I want to be with them. I want to help the team this year. I’m working really hard right now, every single day, to get better and get the opportunity to play with them.

...

If it doesn’t work out at catcher, have you given any thought to what position you want to play?

I don’t know. Maybe in the future, two, three, five years more, maybe they’re going to put me in another position. But I’m working to be a catcher. I want to be in the big leagues as a catcher.

It doesn’t seem that you’ve got another position in mind.

No. I want to be a catcher with the Yankees.

It's good to see how determined he is to be a big league catcher, especially for those of us who are hoping that's where he ends up. For a player who has a lot working against him on the defensive end, that kind of determination is the only thing that will help Montero get over those hurdles.

Thinking about my last post on Posada, this is one of those areas where his leadership and team-first mentality help a lot. Sure, he may not want to relinquish his role as the team's starting catcher, but he's willing to help guys like Montero, even if it's not the best thing for Jorge Posada.

Between the effort and determination Montero is showing, the help from teammates like Posada, and the work of the Yankees coaches (minors & majors), Montero chances of becoming the big league catcher he wants to be aren't as slim as some might think.