In an exciting development for baseball fans, Cuban outfielder Lázaro Montes, aged 21, has been called up to the Major Leagues by the Seattle Mariners this past Sunday. This was reported by baseball journalist Francys Romero, who cited sources close to the player.
Romero shared, "BREAKING NEWS: Cuban outfielder Lázaro Montes has been promoted to MLB by the Seattle Mariners, sources tell me. One of the elite baseball prospects for years, with 38 home runs this season in the Minor Leagues. A young man from Barreras, Guanabacoa, who left at a young age with his parents in search of dreams and now achieves them. An extraordinary promotion for Montes at just 21."
Remarkable Minor League Season
The call-up follows a historic season in the minors: 38 home runs, 96 RBIs, and an OPS of .921 while playing for both Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma.
Montes hit his 38th home run on Saturday, coinciding with the news of his promotion to the majors. This homer also had historical significance; it broke the record for most home runs in a Minor League season by a Cuban player, previously held by Juan Francisco "Pancho" Herrera since 1959, with 37 home runs for the Buffalo Bisons in the International League. Herrera's record had stood for 67 years.
A Power Hitter's Journey
From the outset of his professional baseball career, raw power has defined Montes. Recently, he hit a home run with an exit velocity of 115.9 mph, which was highlighted by MLB as one of the season’s most powerful hits, even when compared to Major League players.
Since being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma in July, Montes has boasted a .267 average, with 13 homers and 30 RBIs in 43 games, prompting Seattle to add him to their major league roster.
Born in the Barreras neighborhood of Guanabacoa, Havana, Montes left Cuba with his parents as a youngster before starting his professional career. The Mariners signed him as an international free agent in January 2022, with a reported signing bonus of $2.5 million. Since then, he has swiftly climbed through the organization’s minor league system.
Promising Future Ahead
In 2025, Montes was selected for the Futures Game, leading the Minor Leagues with 21 home runs at the time. Baseball America has compared him to Yordan Álvarez due to his raw power, rated at 60 on the scouting scale, and MLB Pipeline has ranked him among the top Cuban prospects in the minors, reaching as high as 26th overall and third within the Seattle organization.
His call-up to MLB comes during the closing stretch of the 2026 season, as the Mariners look to bolster their roster, making Montes one of the youngest Cuban prospects to reach the Major Leagues in recent years.
Understanding Lázaro Montes' Impact in Baseball
What record did Lázaro Montes break in the Minor Leagues?
Lázaro Montes set a new record for most home runs in a Minor League season by a Cuban player, surpassing Juan Francisco "Pancho" Herrera's previous record of 37 home runs from 1959.
Why is Lázaro Montes compared to Yordan Álvarez?
Montes is compared to Yordan Álvarez due to his impressive raw power, which has been rated at 60 on the scouting scale, similar to Álvarez's abilities.