Yankees' Montero: 'I Want To Be Behind The Plate'
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- With Russell Martin projected to be New York's primary catcher, top prospect Jesus Montero is ready to show the Yankees what he's made of.
"I want to be behind the plate," Montero said on Tuesday. "I want to show everybody that I can catch with the Yankees."
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman wants to prepare Montero for the majors in a "proper way rather than in a rushed way."
"I think being in the majors would be better," Montero said about starting the season in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. "Everybody wants to be there. I'm going to try to do the best to be with the team, learn real quick and help them."
Montero, 21, has been working out at the Yankees' minor-league complex since late January, and is noticeably slimmer than last year.
"I'm working really hard. I've spent more time here in the cage and doing catching things," he said. "I want to be with the team this year. I want to help them to win, too. I'm working really hard here."
The prospect had a good 2010 season at the plate, slugging 21 homers while maintaining a .289 batting average for Scranton.
"I did a good job last year, thank God," said Montero. "I've got to work harder this year to show them that I can catch."
Montero, often a chip in trade rumors involving the Yankees, wants to stick with the big club.
"I want to be with the Yankees," he said.
"I want to stay with the Yankees my whole career."
Should the Yanks give Montero a shot? Sound off in the comments below!
(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
