In 2019, Rafael Montero pitched quality relief innings for the Texas Rangers flying a little under the radar. Now, with the departure of Emmanuel Clase in the trade that brought Corey Kluber to Arlington, Montero has a chance to grab onto a larger role and become an influential part of the Rangers bullpen.
Montero was originally an international free agent signing of the New York Mets in 2011 out of the Dominican Republic. He was dominant in his first full season in the Mets organization posting a 2.36 ERA in 122 innings between two minor league levels. That trend is fairly par for the course regarding Montero’s Minor League service time.