Montañez was drafted by theChicago Cubs with the third overall pick of the2000 MLB draft.[1] He spent seven seasons in the Cubs'farm system but never made it to the major leagues.
On January 5, 2007, Montañez signed a minor league contract with theBaltimore Orioles organization.[2] Afterbatting .335 with 26home runs and 97RBI in 116 games for the Orioles' Double-A affiliate, theBowie Baysox, he was called up to the majors for the first time. In 2008, Montañez won theEastern LeagueTriple Crown despite missing nearly a month of the season after getting called up to the majors.[3]
Montañez made his major league debut on August 5, 2008,[4] playing an inning defensively and without making aplate appearance.[5] The next day, he hit ahome run in his first major-leagueat bat,[a] making him the second Oriole to accomplish the feat, the first having beenBuster Narum in 1963.[9] After starting the 2009 season playing for the OriolesTriple-A affiliate,Norfolk Tides, Montañez was recalled to the majors on April 21 after an injury toRyan Freel.[10] On November 10, 2010, Montanez became a minor leaguefree agent.
Montañez signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs on January 12, 2011.[11] He was called up from theIowa Cubs on May 24, and was in the lineup that night atWrigley Field against theNew York Mets. His first at-bat resulted in an RBI double.[12] He elected free agency on November 28.
Montañez was signed to a minor league contract by thePhiladelphia Phillies on December 21, 2011. He also received an invitation to spring training.[13] Montañez began the year with the Triple-ALehigh Valley IronPigs, for whom he batted .136/.264/.159 with one RBI across 17 games. Montañez was released by the Phillies organization on May 4.[14]
On May 21, 2012, Montañez signed a minor league contract with theSt. Louis Cardinals and was assigned to the Triple-AMemphis Redbirds.[15] In 84 appearances for Memphis, he hit .259/.350/.316 with two home runs and 25 RBI.[16]
On June 20, 2013, Montañez signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He was subsequently assigned to the Double-AArkansas Travelers,[18] where he batted .284/.322/.457 with three home runs, 14 RBI, and three stolen bases.
On April 25, 2014, Montañez again signed with theSomerset Patriots of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 130 appearances for the Patriots, he batted .289/.350/.471 with 17 home runs, 74 RBI, and five stolen bases. Montañez became a free agent after the season.
^BothMLB.com andBaseball-Reference.com list Montañez's debut as April 28, 2008,[6] in asuspended game that was subsequently resumed and completed on August 25, 2008.[7] Although Montañez only entered the game as apinch hitter on the latter date,[7] the game is recorded as having been played on the day it started (April 28). TheElias Sports Bureau still credits Montañez with a home run in his first MLB at bat, however, because he was not in the major leagues on April 28.[8]
