Infielder Coco Montes has signed a contract with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. Montes, who was released by the Rockies organization on June 22nd, had his deal with the Giants reported by Francys Romero on his X account.
Montes (27) joined the Rockies in 2018 after being drafted in the 15th round of the MLB draft. He spent six seasons in the minors and made his major league debut in 2023 with the Colorado Rockies. In his debut on June 11th, Montes hit a home run, finishing the game 2-3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored.
Montes also brings previous international experience to the Giants, having played with the Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican league in 2023 and Aguilas de Mexicali of the Mexican league in 2022. He was the starting third baseman for the first exhibition game of the Cuban Independent team (Fepcube) against the Miami Dade College Sharks on January 17th, 2024.
This season, with the Albuquerque Isotopes in Triple-A, Montes posted impressive numbers, slashing .335/.414/.551 with a .965 OPS, 16 doubles, 6 triples, 9 home runs, and 47 RBIs in 64 games.
Montes is now headed to the Tokyo Dome, ready to make his mark with the Yomiuri Giants.