Grand Junction's Montes busts loose again
Coming into Wednesday in a bit of a funk, Coco Montes just wanted to put the ball in play and maybe get a few hits. He not only got a few base knocks, he added another milestone to his resume.For the second time this summer, the Rockies prospect collected a
Coming into Wednesday in a bit of a funk, Coco Montes just wanted to put the ball in play and maybe get a few hits. He not only got a few base knocks, he added another milestone to his resume.
For the second time this summer, the Rockies prospect collected a career-best five hits, but Rookie-level Grand Junction dropped an 8-7 decision to Orem at the Home of the OWLZ. Montes plated two runs and scored one in his sixth multi-hit effort this month.
"Everything just went my way today," he said. "I had a couple of balls that maybe weren't hits on other days that found a good hop and stuff like that -- they were just in the right spot. I was just trying to put the ball in play and help the team win the game, and we ended up losing a tough one. But we'll be back out there tomorrow."
Seven games into his professional career, the University of South Florida product notched his first five-hit effort on June 22 in a 9-8 loss to Idaho Falls. Montes kept up the pace, batting .431 through 14 games in June and .343 in July.
Delivering steady outcomes at the plate earned him a starting nod in the Pioneer/Northwestern All-Star Game, where he bashed two homers on the way to claiming BUSH'S® All-Star MVP honors.
Accolades aside, Montes is soaking in the opportunity to be an everyday player as he winds down his first season in pro ball.
"It's amazing. I get to come out here to play baseball every day," Montes said. "Whether I'm doing good or bad, I'm going to be happy at the end of the day. I just want to take full advantage of this experience and do as much as I can and play as long as I can. I can't thank the Rockies enough for this opportunity."
Things had slowed in August, however, as the 21-year-old came into Wednesday's matchup hitless in his last 14 at-bats to drop his average for the month to .243. Grand Junction is tied atop the South Division second-half standings, so Montes felt his cold spell came at an inopportune time. Breaking through Wednesday could propel him through the last seven regular-season games, he said.
"Going 0-for-14, especially when we're in a playoff run, it's hard because I want to help the team win," he said. "In my head, I said, 'Well, if I didn't go 0-for-14 over the last few games we would have won three or four games instead of going 2-2.' So it was nice today to be able to contribute and help the team. It just didn't go our way in the end."
Gameday box score
Montes noticed in recent weeks that he hadn't been driving the ball with his legs, which ended up causing him to drift forward in the batter's box more than he'd like. So he worked with coaches Zach Osborne and Andy Gonzalez on making some minor corrections to get him back in the right direction.
Using their insight, the 15th-round pick in this year's Draft followed a first-inning double by Hunter Stovall with a single up the middle to plate Grand Junction's first run. Montes whacked his second single of the night off starter Jose Natera in the third and scored four batters later on Reese Berberet's infield hit.
The Miami native drove in his second run of the game with a two-out single to right off reliever Tanner Chock in the fourth, although he was cut down trying to extend it into a double. Montes attacked the first pitch from right-hander Cole Duensing in the sixth for a single to right before beating out an infield hit two innings later.
"Especially after going 0-for-14, it felt good," Montes said. "But at the end of the night, it was a rough loss. That's all that's kind of going to stick with me. Hopefully, my next five-hit game -- if I get one -- we win because we lost both of them [this season]."

With the big night, he raised his average 14 points to .343, one point behind teammate and eighth-ranked Rockies prospect Grant Lavigne, who ranks fifth in the league. Montes said the New Hampshire native has been an invaluable part of his season, and the two have bonded as a formidable duo in the middle of the lineup.
"Grant's one of the best hitters I've ever seen, approach-wise and at the plate," Montes said. "We talk a lot about hitting and everything about the game. For being so young, from a part of the country that's not really big into baseball, it really amazes me how advanced he is mentally in the game. It's always nice having him behind me. I get on, I'm pretty sure I'm going to score when he's getting up."
The Owlz rallied for five runs over the final two innings, completing their comeback on Connor Fitzsimons' two-run single in the ninth.
Andrew Battifarano is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter, @AndrewAtBatt.
Paying homage to Negro Leagues, this team is MiLB's "hoppinest"
Nicknamed “baseball’s most hoppinest team” by the local newspaper coverage at the time, the Fredericksburg Frogs were one of the Chesapeake Bay area’s more successful Negro League teams in the 1920s, standing out amid a long lineage of segregated Black teams that played in downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia, between the 1880s
The year after Jackie, Ritchey integrated PCL
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2018. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
Each team's top power hitting prospect for '25
The home run is the most efficient event in sports. It’s the maximum outcome a single batter can achieve, and all it takes is one swing. One very powerful, well-timed, well-coordinated swing. It’s why power is such an important tool in prospect development and evaluation. You can put the ball
Here are the 10 best potential prospect matchups at Spring Breakout
Spring Breakout will soon offer the opportunity for the majority of baseball's top prospects to face off against each other for the second straight year. Fearsome sluggers against hard-throwing pitchers. Speedy baserunners against cannon-armed catchers. Well-rounded shortstops battling to prove who should be ranked higher. Full rosters for all 30
10 prospects at Spring Training who are lighting up Statcast
One of the best parts of Spring Training every year is getting to see the top prospects in baseball. A lot of the time, it's the first look fans get at MLB's future stars. But we also know a lot more about those prospects going into Spring Training than we
Questions plague Peeples' trailblazing story
A version of this story previously appeared on MiLB.com in 2007. We present it again as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
Prospects to watch this spring -- one for each team
Spring may not have arrived quite yet, but Spring Training has! Players have reported to camp and exhibition games kick off Thursday with the Cubs visiting the Dodgers in Glendale, Ariz.
8 of the best team matchups in Spring Breakout
After Spring Breakout's dynamic debut last year, the prospect showcase event returns in full force for 2025. All 30 Major League teams will field squads of top prospects to face off in 16 games from March 13-16 -- the Cubs and Nationals will play twice since there's an odd number
Fowler: A 19th-century baseball pioneer
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2006. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
Everything you need to know about prospects and Spring Training
This story was excerpted from MLB Pipeline's newsletter. Subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Arkansas-based Mariners affiliate to honor legacy of the Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine sounds like it could be the name of a baseball team playing in Arkansas' capital city, and for three nights during the 2025 season, it will be. The story behind the name transcends baseball, however. From Aug. 21-23, the Arkansas Travelers -- Seattle's Double-A affiliate --
MiLB podcast breaks down Spring Training storylines
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Leaf Peepers? Thunder Chickens?! Coming to the Minors this year
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Dodgers greats Newcombe and Campanella made history as Minors teammates
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2006. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
15 prospects primed for a bounceback season from injury
A lot of players will be getting a fresh start heading into the 2025 season. Prospects who missed significant time due to injury have had upwards of six months between regular-season games to return to health. Now they'll be looking to re-establish their value and maybe even reach new heights.
Check out the newest Minor League team logos for 2025
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Here are 18 prospects who also starred on the gridiron
The two-time defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs are set to meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and plenty of baseball prospects will be keeping a close eye. After all, many current Minor Leaguers played football at a high level before committing fully to the diamond. No, there aren't any
Did you know the Superdome was once home to a Minor League team?
On Sunday, one of the world’s most-watched sporting events will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Believe it or not, decades before Super Bowl LIX came to town, the same building was home to a Minor League Baseball team for one season. The 1977 Triple-A New Orleans Pelicans
How a Black pitcher's brief PCL stint in 1916 generated a historic card
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2010. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
The Show Before the Show: Episode 489
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minors legend Jones still holds batting record
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2008. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers. Grover "Deacon" Jones spent more than a half-century in baseball, serving the game at almost every level and in
Hooks have a new look -- and more -- on the line for 20th season
In advance of a milestone season at Whataburger Field, the Corpus Christi Hooks are making a change. The Houston Astros' Double-A affiliate unveiled new logos and uniforms on Friday evening, marking the first time they have significantly altered their look since debuting in 2005. According to Hooks general manager Brady