Granted, Rafael Montero's first stint in the big leagues didn't go so well, and he may end up being just a temporary replacement for Jacob deGrom, who went on the DL Monday with rotator cuff tendinitis. But he still has the kind of talent that could translate to immediate Fantasy results, especially with his recent turnaround at Triple-A Las Vegas.
Las Vegas -- or anywhere in the Pacific Coast League, really -- is an especially difficult place to pitch. Though Montero has fared better than most young pitchers there, compiling a 3.28 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 15 starts, the way he's done it isn't anyone's idea of progress. His stellar control put him on the map as a prospect, but instead of attacking hitters in the hitter-friendly environment, he's pitched around them, issuing 3.9 walks per nine innings. And it continued in his first stint in the majors, when he issued 5.0 walks per nine innings.
Over his last seven starts, though, he's issued 2.7 walks per nine innings, and the result was a 2.10 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He allowed just one hit over eight innings in his last start, striking out 11 and walking two.
He may have very well righted himself. I'm not rushing to pick him up just yet, but I'm keeping a close eye on Montero in his return Tuesday.