Seattle Mariners Notebook: Montes’ blast, Gilbert’s spring debut

Feb 24, 2025, 4:41 PM

Mariners Insider, Seattle Sports

The Seattle Mariners took a wild one from the Brewers in Maryvale, Ariz., on Monday afternoon, beating them 12-8 behind home runs from Mitch Haniger, Hogan Windish and Lazaro Montes.

Watch: Highly touted M’s prospect Montes hits first Cactus League HR

All were well-struck, but the final one off the bat of Montes had a little something extra as he knocked a dead-center moonshot high off the batter’s eye to drive in three runs. As he rounded the bases, the 20-year-old native of Cuba could be seen pointing to the stands to his family, who were seeing him play in person for the first time in two years.

“They were loud, you could hear them throughout the whole ballpark,” a clearly still thrilled Montes said after the game. “They’re here, let them just have fun and do what they are here to do.”

Montes saved his fun for when he crossed home plate. After drawing walks and scoring in his first two at-bats, he was ready to let loose a bit after the monster shot.

“When I first made contact with it I didn’t think it was going to go all the way out,” he said. “It just went up, and then I saw the outfielder’s number and he just kept going back and back. And I said yeah, it’s going out,” he said. “I’ve tried to learn to be controlled at home plate but when I get to celebrate, I’m letting everything out. I like to celebrate with the fans but am learning to be more controlled at the plate.”

Overall, Montes was pleased with adjustments he had made at the plate with is approach. MLB.com’s No. 42 overall prospect and Baseball America’s No. 97 overall prospect, Montes knows he’s got power to hit the ball out of any park. But pitch selection is important.

“I continue to work on it,” he said. “Last game I made some bad decisions that cost me an at-bat.”

It has been an impressive showing so far for one of the youngest players in camp.

“I’m really happy for him,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “He’s continuing to do the things that are going to make him a really good hitter. That’s the result we saw today. He plays with a lot of confidence, he loves this game and I think it really shows in the way he approaches his at-bats, the way he approaches in the field as well. He’s got one of those infectious personalities that rubs off on other people. Lots of smiles, lots of energy you need for the course of the season.”

Gilbert gets the ball

Logan Gilbert made his first spring outing Monday and battled command issues, as he was lifted from the game in the second inning with nobody out because he reached his pitch count. He flashed several 97s with the fastball and worked to mix all of his pitches in despite the limited pitch count. All in all, he got the work he needed and perhaps made what he sees as an important adjustment.

“It’s kind of transitioning from a lot of pitch shapes and tinkering in the offseason to going back to the count’s the most important thing and facing hitters, that kind of stuff,” he said. “As much as the physical, I think there is a mind switch that comes with it that’s really important.”

This is Logan Gilbert we are talking about, so of course there was some experimenting Monday against the Brewers.

“I did try something new,” he admitted. “It is a little early so… it’s a version of a sinker that was really good in the bullpen but (I) didn’t throw a strike with it in the game. We’re getting there. Baby steps.”

Whether or not the pitch sticks and he brings it into the season remains to be seen, but as always it is worth keeping an eye on.

Notes

• Luis Castillo gets the start Tuesday against the Dodgers in Glendale, with George Kirby to start Wednesday vs. the A’s. Wilson has yet to announce the opening day starter but says they are working their way through it. As of now, Gilbert appears to be in the No. 1 spot, but he is not taking anything for granted.

“It would be awesome if it happened, but we have five opening day starters,” Gilbert said. “I don’t think anybody should get their feelings hurt because on different teams we would probably all start the first day. It’s a huge honor for whoever gets it, obviously Castillo being the veteran is very, very deserving. But every time I’m out there in the spring I feel I have to prove myself all over again, so I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

• Donovan Solano, who arrived in camp Sunday, got his first work in by taking infield along with Luke Raley and Rowdy Tellez at first base Monday morning. While the other two towered over him, Solano did look athletic around the bag. No word yet when on he will get into a game.

Drayer: Donovan Solano arrives as veteran presence for Mariners

• Other pregame work of note, we saw what I believe to be Jorge Polanco’s first wall work with infield coach Perry Hill this spring. Polanco has been cleared for much but not all work, so this was good to see. Moving from second to third base, it is believed his biggest challenge will be coming in on the ball right in front of him. Wall work will be key.