While Mets starting pitcher prospect Rafael Montero has his sights set on winning a spot in the rotation this spring, pitching coach Dan Warthen told The Star-Ledger the more likely scenario is Montero joining the rotation in the middle of the season.
"A guy that we look to see in the big leagues very soon," Warthen said.
Montero has developed into one of the team's top pitching prospects, but he is mostly a fastball-slider pitcher and has some areas he needs to improve before joining the major-league rotation.
"He’s moved up so quickly," Triple-A Las Vegas pitching coach Frank Viola said. "He just needs to learn a little bit more consistency out of his breaking ball and his changeup. He’s opened up so many eyes and I think he’s going to get better and better."