Coco Montes debuts with a game-tying home run: 'He doesn't rattle'

There are few things better than a player getting a base hit in the first at-bat of their Major League debut.

Coco Montes took it to another level with a game-tying home run in the bottom of the eighth inning on Sunday.

He may have even won the wild contest in the bottom of the ninth following a one hour and 25 minute rain delay, but he settled for a view from the on-deck circle of Nolan Jones’ first career walk-off home run.

With a six-game losing streak still looming and the potential for an 0-6 homestand, Montes delivered with a 377-foot blast to left field against RHP Luis García that tied the score 3-3. It was just their second win of the year when trailing after seven innings. Before the game, manager Bud Black nearly foreshadowed the moment when discussing his newest player.

In his Major League debut, Coco Montes goes deep to tie it up! pic.twitter.com/WV2oglscQF

— MLB (@MLB) June 11, 2023

“What I liked about Coco is the confidence,” Black shared. “Even this morning when he came in, he seemed self-assured. You’ve heard me say it about (Ezequiel) Tovar. There’s a self assurance and a confidence that Coco has. He doesn’t rattle.”

That ability to not vibrate, as some baseball insiders might say, was apparent in his first ever plate appearance. On the third pitch he saw from San Diego Padres’ Blake Snell, the 26-year-old infielder lashed a single to center field and became the first player with a base hit in their first at-bat since Tovar last season.

Montes earned his promotion by batting .321 with 12 home runs and 47 RBI with Triple-A Albuqeurque. Despite being named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for April 11-16 and Colorado being hit with the injury bug throughout the first two months of the season, Montes never soured as he waited for the call-up.

“I tried not to think about it when I was down there,” he said. “I’m just trying to play every day, but I felt like I was playing well. And I felt like I was ready. And I knew maybe a chance was coming soon.”

First MLB at-bat ✅

First MLB hit ✅

👏 @cocomontes5 pic.twitter.com/UJ9WrXyYc9

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 11, 2023

Pedro López, Albuquerque’s manager, gathered his club together before Saturday night’s contest in the home clubhouse at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park to announce that Brian Serven was being promoted following an injury to Elias Díaz. Though Díaz did not have a concussion following a hard foul ball during Saturday’s 3-2 loss and would not go on the injured list, Colorado is practicing caution with their catcher.

“‘You’ll need someone to help you along the way, Serven,’” joked López as he pointed to Montes to signify a flight to Denver was awaiting him.

Originally drafted by the Rockies in the 15th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of the University of South Florida, Montes has been a productive player at every level of the minor leagues. He was named the Pioneer League MVP with Grand Junction in 2018 before leading the South Atlantic League in 2019 with 89 RBI at Low-A Asheville.

Coco Montes got word about his promotion to the #Rockies yesterday and landed in Denver this morning.

He’ll wear no. 3 and will start at 2B against the Padres. pic.twitter.com/X2QXsTii8s

— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) June 11, 2023

Montes had an inkling that he’d reach the Majors during his freshman year in high school, but the journey to the Show wasn’t easy. He wasn’t a high-round selection, missed the entire 2020 minor league season – as did all minor leaguers – and progressed just one level each year. All along, he remained upbeat about his chances.

“There’s road bumps along the way and (then) you hit that next level, next level. And I would say after last year was really when I realized like, ‘Okay, I think I’m really ready to play in the big leagues.’”

Diamond Details

In a series of corresponding moves, Colorado optioned Alan Trejo to Triple-A Albuquerque. Charlie Blackmon was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right-hand fracture (fifth metacarpal) suffered on a hit-by-pitch in Kansas City on June 3.  

To make room on the 40-man roster for Montes, right-handed pitcher Antonio Senzatela was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL.

(Photo credit: Kyle Cooper of the Colorado Rockies)