The Tampa Bay Rays have signed infielder Coco Montes to a minor league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training, as reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Montes, who was last with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan’s NPB, was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 2018 draft. While he was not considered a top-tier prospect, he consistently put up strong offensive numbers in the minors, playing multiple infield positions, including second base, third base, and shortstop. In 2023, Montes had a standout season at Triple-A Albuquerque, posting a .317/.400/.550 slash line with a 128 wRC+, earning his first promotion to the majors. Unfortunately, his success in the minors did not carry over to the big league level, where he struggled, hitting just .184 in 38 at-bats with a 38 wRC+ and posting a negative defensive rating at second base. As a result, he was designated for assignment and sent back to Triple-A in September.
In 2024, Montes was invited to major league spring training but did not make the Rays’ roster. However, he continued to excel at Triple-A, putting together arguably the best season of his career, batting .335/.414/.551 with a 140 wRC+ in 297 plate appearances. Despite his impressive performance, the Rockies did not offer him another shot in the majors and instead released him in June, leading Montes to sign with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. During his 46-game stint with the Giants, Montes hit .272/.308/.391 with a .699 OPS. While his numbers weren’t as eye-catching as his Triple-A performance, he outperformed the Central League’s averages in all major offensive categories and showed impressive control at the plate with a 13.2% strikeout rate, well below the league average.
Now 28 years old, Montes will look to make his way back to MLB with the Rays, bringing his versatility in the field and offensive potential with him. Topkin notes that Montes could also see time in left field in addition to his infield duties. Should he not make the Rays’ major league roster, Montes will have the opportunity to opt out of his contract and seek free agency at the end of the 2025 season. If the Rays can help him transition some of his previous offensive success to the major leagues, Montes could provide valuable depth for the team moving forward.
