When it comes to baseball, Miguel Montero has the reputation of not mincing his words. Montero is one of the team leaders and will talk to Major League vets the same way as he would talk to minor leaguers.
Miguel Montero had a good, but inconsistent, first year with the Cubs both offensively and defensively. The Cubs value Montero’s receiving skills, the way he calls a game and the intensity he brings to the field on a daily basis. The Cubs would like to see Montero have a better year behind the plate blocking balls and controlling the running game.
Montero is under contract through the 2017 season. And this spring, he was able to work with the player that will likely replace him as the Cubs every day catcher in the not too distant future.
Willson Contreras was rather impressive throughout his stay in big league camp. Joe Maddon really liked what he saw from Contreras.
Contreras has been tabbed as the Cubs catcher of the future. Contreras will spend a majority, if not all, of the upcoming season working on his defense with the Iowa Cubs while adjusting to the way pitchers attack him at the higher level.
Miguel Montero talked to Patrick Mooney and Carrie Muskat about Willson Contreras and what he’s seen from the young catcher.
Montero thinks Contreras could be in the majors right now. Montero had a chance to spend time with Contreras last August while he was on a rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee. This spring, the Cubs made the two Venezuelan catchers locker mates.
Montero pointed out that Contreras is “very, very coachable” and he feels the only way he will learn how to handle a big league pitching staff is in the big leagues. But it “takes time to learn a big league scouting report.”
Miggy told Comcast SportsNet that he would love to take Contreras under his wing. He explained he “is trying to help him every day.” Montero hopes he will be able to help Contreras make the transition to the big leagues.
“The tough part is handling a pitching staff at the big league level,” Montero said to Carrie Muskat. “The only way to learn is be in the big leagues. To me, he’s the guy who, when he comes up to the big leagues, in order to learn, he has to catch, repetition, face the hitters a few times, and hopefully, when he comes to the big leagues, I’m here to help him out and teach him.”
Miguel Montero thinks the Cubs will have to ease him into an everyday role. As far as Montero is concerned, Willson Contreras is an everyday catcher in the majors.