Montanez Becomes Second Former Oriole to Join Nuts
April 9, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (April 9, 2015) - The relationship between the Wichita Wingnuts and Baltimore Orioles this off-season has been an active one to say the least. The Major League club purchased the contract of outfielder Jake Luce from the Nuts in January and then swooped in to sign recent Wichita signee Jhonathan Ramos in March. On the other side of the transaction wire, the Wingnuts have announced the addition of former Baltimore outfielder Luis Montanez. The veteran is expected to join former teammate with the Orioles, shortstop Luis Hernandez, in the opening day lineup.
The Chicago Cubs made Montanez the third overall pick in the 2000 MLB Draft out of Coral Park High School in Miami. At that time he was considered a complete package at the shortstop position and one of the best defensive players in the country. He got off to a fantastic start at the plate in rookie ball, batting .344 with 37 RBI in 50 games. This propelled him on a seven year journey through the Cubs' farm system that included stops in the following cities: Lansing, Daytona, Boise, Peoria, West Tennessee, and Iowa. After making the transition to the outfield the year before, Montanez reached the Triple-A level for the first time in 2006, but hit just .224 in 82 games. The Cubs released him following that season.
The 33-year old signed with the Orioles prior to the 2007 campaign and was placed with Double-A Bowie, where he played for a majority of the next two years. The 2008 season was the best of his career and led to his eventual promotion to the parent club for the first time. In 116 games he put together a .335 average with 26 home runs and 97 RBI which earned him the Eastern League Triple Crown. Montanez made his big league debut in the field on August 5th and then launched a home run in his first MLB at-bat on the 6th. In the remaining 37 games he ripped two more long balls and hit .295.
Montanez played 29 games in Baltimore during the early stages of 2009, but missed the rest of the season due to a broken wrist. He rebounded from the injury enough to pass all tests at the minor league level and eventually played another 26 games with the Orioles in 2010 before being issued his release.
His former employer, the Cubs, was willing to give him a second chance in the organization and signed him to a minor league contract. He was impressive enough at Triple-A Iowa that he earned his first chance to suit up for the team on the north side of Chicago. In 29 contests, Montanez drove in nine runs and managed a .222 batting average.
After splitting 2012 between the Triple-A affiliates of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies, he played independent ball for the first time in 2013 with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League. Montanez didn't last long with the Patriots due to his .313 average and 41 RBI in 52 games. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim purchased his contract and assigned him to Double-A Arkansas. He was not retained by the Angels at the conclusion of the season, despite putting up solid numbers.
Last season, the native of Puerto Rico, hit .289 with 17 home runs and 74 RBI in 130 games with Somerset. He owns a career batting average of over .280 with 127 home runs and 780 RBI while taking 482 walks. He has played just short of 1,000 of his 1,558 career games in the outfield.
Montanez is the 20th player to join the Wingnuts roster for 2015. The roster can include up to 28 players until two days prior to the start of the regular season when the active roster must be trimmed to 22. The eighth season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins on Thursday, May 21st in Joplin, with the home opener against the Winnipeg Goldeyes taking place on Tuesday, May 26th. For information on season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com .
American Association Stories from April 9, 2015
- Blasters Release Mini-Pack and Half-Season Tickets - Joplin Blasters
- Single Game Tickets to Go on Sale, Craft Beer Fest Tickets on Sale Now - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Montanez Becomes Second Former Oriole to Join Nuts - Wichita Wingnuts
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
