Ulises Montilla

ULISES MONTILLA, SECOND BASEMAN
Born: May 12, 1992
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2010
Country: Panama
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Montilla has played well offensively from the start of his career, hitting for average with gap power and very good, even spectacular, walk and strikeout rates.  The fact that the Pirates didn’t bring him to the US after his excellent 2011 season, though, indicates they may have reservations about his ceiling.  He started off as an outfielder, mainly in the corners, but he played third in his most recent season and has also seen significant time at second.

2010
VSL:  276/411/346, 127 AB, 9 2B, 27 BB, 11 K, 5-11 SB

Montilla had a good debut, getting on base at a high rate.  The Pirates played him mostly in left, but he saw a little time at second and third.

2011
VSL:  364/439/506, 253 AB, 21 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 33 BB, 17 K, 11-19 SB

Montilla had an outstanding season, with good gap power and twice as many walks and strikeouts.  He split his time primarily between center and second.

2012
DSL:  320/407/457, 238 AB, 11 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 28 BB, 20 K, 15-22 SB

The Pirates sent Montilla to the DSL and he continued to hit well against the tougher competition.  The fact that he maintained a good walk rate is a good sign.  Hitters with a decent eye sometimes have extraordinary walk rates in the VSL due to the weakness of some of the pitching.  Montilla played third almost exclusively.

2013
R:  290/364/439, 155 AB, 16 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 16 BB, 25 K

Montilla had a good season at the plate, hitting for average with solid command of the strike zone.  He finished tied for second in the GCL in doubles.  He played second exclusively, showing decent range and committing only six errors in 40 games, which is pretty good for that level.  It’s odd that he didn’t attempt a single steal.

2014
R+:  308/400/385, 13 AB, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K
A-:  286/375/429, 7 AB, 1 2B, 1 BB

Montilla played two games at third for Jamestown at the start of the season, then went to Bristol once the Appalachian League season started.  Unfortunately, in his fourth game there he injured his leg badly in a collision, ending his season.

It’s hard to say how much of a ceiling Montilla has.  He isn’t very toolsy and will be 22, which won’t be an ideal age, when the short season leagues begin play in 2015.  He’s eligible for the Rule 5 draft now.  He opened the 2015 season at Morgantown, so he evidently had recovered from the injury.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2015: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2010
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2016
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
May 25, 2010: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.