Montero keeps learning behind the plate for Mariners

PEORIA, Ariz. – Dealing with the kind of expectations swirling around Jesus Montero is something the catcher in the locker to his left knows all too well.

It was eight years ago that Guillermo Quiroz – back this spring with the Mariners on a minor-league deal – arrived in Toronto’s camp touted as the Blue Jays’ catcher of the future. He was coming off a 20-home run season in Class AA and an appearance in the Futures Game, and he had been ranked as the game’s third-best catching prospect and 35th-best prospect overall by Baseball America.

Just as Montero faces this spring, Quiroz dealt with the pressure of honing his skills with a sense of urgency for an organization in need of top young talent behind the plate.

“You have to concentrate a lot,” said Quiroz, 30, who played a handful of games with Seattle in 2006, 2009 and 2010. “You have to be on top of everything. My best advice would be to be aware of everything on the field, because all eyes are on him.

“He has the ability to play,” Quiroz added. “You can’t deny that. The kid can hit. Catching-wise, I’ve seen him working out there, and it’s good. Once he gets the confidence, that experience, he’ll be ready to play.”

Montero, 22, went 0 for 2 with a walk and also threw out fellow catcher and mentor Miguel Olivo trying to steal second during an intrasquad game Sunday. It was the second intrasquad affair that Montero started behind the plate and he likely saved a run on Thursday by blocking a pitch in the dirt.

“It’s been fun,” Montero said of all the attention he has received in camp. “I’ve been trying to have fun with Miguel. Trying to have fun with the other catchers. I’m trying to do everything right. But the most important thing is having fun over here.”

Montero is reluctant to be too specific about the area of catching he needs to improve in most, not wanting to suggest he’s “bad” at any particular area. But he said the coaches will tell him during drills where he needs to get better.

During a bunt coverage drill last week, Mariners manager Eric Wedge pulled Montero aside and told him he needed to be more forceful when calling out to which base a charging fielder should throw.

Montero repeated the drill and did indeed call out the number of the bag more forcefully and decisively. Mariners third-base coach Jeff Datz, who handles the team’s catchers, said they need to be leaders based on their position, and that Montero will need time to grow into the role.

“He’s gone through the drills well,” Datz said. “All of the catchers have. As we keep progressing and watch some of these games, there will be things we need to clean up and we’ll address it as it comes along.”