Lazaro Montes, a 19-year-old Cuban slugger for the Seattle Mariners, has been named the Ken Griffey Jr. Hitter of the Year for the second consecutive season. Montes also earned the 2024 California League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, further solidifying his status as one of the most promising prospects in baseball. He joins Edgar Quero, who won in 2021, as the second Cuban-born player named the California League MVP.
Montes had an outstanding 2024 season, finishing with a .288 batting average, 21 doubles, two triples, and 21 home runs. He drove in 105 RBIs and drew 78 walks, with a .397 on-base percentage and an .881 OPS over 116 games split between Low-A Modesto and High-A Everett.
Ranked as the No. 47 prospect on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list and the No. 3 prospect in the Mariners’ system, Montes is also the highest-ranked Cuban prospect in all of baseball. His performance made a significant impact, with success in Modesto, where he hit .309 and 13 home runs. After his June promotion to Everett, he added another eight home runs with a .260 average. His season ended tied for fourth in the California League with 13 home runs.
As Montes continues to develop in the Mariners’ system, his power has fans excited about what lies ahead for the young Cuban talent.