Jesus Montero Called Up: 6 Reasons He Will Make the Postseason Roster and Thrive

Jesus Montero is on his way to the New York Yankees, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Montero, 21, has been big-league ready for months now, but the Yankees had reason (given their depth and his early-season struggles) to withhold this promotion until the September 1 roster expansion.

Now that the expansion has happened, though, it's time to talk about what comes next. Montero is not a big-league catcher. If he has any future at the position, he certainly will not fulfill that potential this season, as October is no time to have a rookie feeling out the pitching staff. Where does his bat, a thunderous one, fit in the Yankees' equation? For that matter, will Montero even be on the playoff roster? And if so, will he succeed inside The Crucible?

You bet he will, and here are six reasons why.

1. Jorge Posada's Demotion

So far, Jorge Posada's semi-removal from the role of starting DH has been a smooth transition. He's still gotten plenty of pinch-hitting opportunities, and with Alex Rodriguez on the shelf he started most days anyway.

As the team gets healthy, though, and takes a closer look at their postseason viability up and down the batting order, Posada becomes less and less important a player. It's become relatively clear that Montero has usurped Posada as a part of the Yankees' plans in 2012, and given that, the postseason roster cut-down might be the perfect time to demonstrate that intent.

2. Steady Development

Even if Montero missed the Yankees' ALDS roster, one would assume he would be the first guy upon whom the team would want to call if one of their key hitters (Alex Rodriguez, Posada or Russell Martin especially) succumbed to injury and was unavailable for the ALCS.

That assumes they get that far, but even so, it is a significant consideration. A prospect like Montero cannot be asked to go to fall instructionals, then called back a week later to play for the pennant. It just doesn't work. Continuity is key, in player development and in playoff preparation.

3. He'll Hit His Way There

The Yankees have a well-established reticence to lean on rookies, especially late in the season. But that they would call forth their best minor-league asset, a critical piece of their team for years to come, and not play him is unfathomable. He won't be stepping in as an everyday starter, but if he gets fewer than 50 plate appearances, it counts as criminal prospect negligence.

In 50 plate appearances, Jesus Montero is going to do something. He might strike out a lot; he might not walk at all. But sooner or later, he's going to launch an opposite-field bomb or take one 460 feet into the left-field stands, and the Yankees have little recourse but to use him at that point.

4. He's Right Handed

Mark Teixeira is a better hitter left-handed. Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano and Brett Gardner bat only from that side. While Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and right-handed Teixeira are no slouches, New York's biggest postseason vulnerability would be a true lefty ace. You know, like Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels or Jon Lester. Montero could add much-needed balance to the team's lineup.

5. The Girardi Effect

This is far from sabermetrically provable; it might even be irrelevant. But Joe Girardi is a heck of a manager, and a heck of a coach. He's a former catcher, and he still carries that mentality to work: Attention to detail, check. Intensity, check. Experience, check. Patience, check.

All that is important simply in his day-in, day-out handling of Montero. But it's even more important because Montero is, technically speaking, a catcher. He will not catch for the 2011 Yankees, but he will work out with that group, and that will give him extra time with Girardi. This cannot be a bad thing, either for his patience or for his image when management (Girardi included) decides on the 25 guys they will take to the playoffs.

6. Otherwise, What's the Point?

The Yankees lead the American League Wild Card by 8.5 games with 30ish to play, depending on the club. They do not need Montero in order to reach the playoffs.

They have spent the entire season—and frankly, part of 2010—trying to conserve service time so that Montero will be more cost-effective in the long term. To call him up now signals that they feel his utility has increased since July 1, or even August 1. The only way that is true is if they plan on using him in the playoffs.