Minor League Baseball

Seattle Mariners Minor League Slugger Named Northwest League Player of The Week

Lazaro Montes put together dominant numbers in his first series of the season for the High-A Everett AquaSox.
Teren Kowatsch|
Seattle Mariners outfielder Lazaro Montes poses for a portrait during media day Feb. 20 at Peoria Sports Complex.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Lazaro Montes poses for a portrait during media day Feb. 20 at Peoria Sports Complex. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In this story:

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners High-A affiliate, the Everett AquaSox had an eventful first season-opening series against the Spokane Indians.

The AquaSox traveled to Avista Stadium in Spokane, Wash., over the weekend and took the series two games to one.

The Mariners' 2024 first-round draft pick Jurrangelo Cijntje made his pro debut Saturday and shined. But one of the team's more established prospects reaffirmed why he's a top 100 player.

Lazaro Montes (No. 42 MLB Pipeline, No. 95 Baseball America) was named the Northwest League Player of the Week for his performance in Everett's series against Spokane. He hit .429 (3-for-7) with four runs, a triple, a home run, two RBIs, five walks and a stolen base. He had a 1.835 OPS. He reached base nine times in 13 plate appearances.

Montes' home run came in his second at-bat of the first game of the series. He reached base safely in eight consecutive plate appearances to begin the season. He grounded out in the ninth inning in Game 2 against the Indians to end the streak.

Montes played 116 games in 2024 — 65 with the Low-A Modesto Nuts and 51 with the AquaSox. He struggled in his first full month in Everett in July, but bounced back the following month. He hit .411 with seven homers and 21 RBIs in August after hitting .188 with no home runs and for RBIs the month before.

Montes was in Seattle's major league camp as a non-roster invitee for most of spring training. The biggest concern for him going as a prospect was his strikeout numbers. Through Cactus League action and the series against Spokane, Montes has shown an increased level of plate discipline many scouts were looking for from him.

Montes still needs to be tested at the hitter-friendly Dickey-Stephens Park — home to the Mariners' Double-A affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers. But if he keeps on his current pace, it won't be long until Montes makes his debut for the defending Texas League champions.

Related Minor League Baseball stories

JURRANGELO CIJNTJE SHINES IN MINOR LEAGUE DEBUT: The former Mississippi State switch-pitcher showed why he was the Mariners top selection in his first start with the Everett AquaSox. CLICK HERE

ELITE MARINERS PROSPECT LAZARO MONTES HITS FIRST HOME RUN OF 2025: Top 100-ranked prospect Lazaro Montes wasted no time showing off his power this season, now playing for the High-A Everett AquaSox. CLICK HERE

MARINERS SECOND-ROUND PICK MAKES TOP 100 DEBUT: The Mariners' second-round pick, Ryan Sloan, earned a spot on Baseball America's latest list of top prospects. CLICK HERE

Follow Minor League Baseball On SI on social media

You can also follow Teren Kowatsch on social media on Twitter @Teren_Kowatsch.

Published | Modified
Teren Kowatsch
TEREN KOWATSCH

Teren Kowatsch is a staff writer for ''Minor League Baseball on SI'' and other "On SI'' baseball sites. He has been a writer for “On SI’’ for two years and is a graduate of the University of Idaho. You can follow him on Twitter @Teren_Kowatsch

Home/NEWS