Lazaro Montes named MVP of California League; Tai Peete and Luis Suisbel also honored

A Big Honor for Big Laz

The league-specific minor-league All-Star games were a sad casualty of the pandemic (except in the DSL, where they’re still going strong), but the leagues still name All-Stars at the conclusion of the season. With the California League wrapping up this week, three Modesto Nuts were honored as All-Stars: UTIL player Luis Suisbel and SS Tai Peete, while OF Lazaro Montes was recognized both as an All-Star and the league’s top prospect/MVP.

Montes left the California League for High-A Everett in late June, but has been making an impact on the league since he was promoted to Modesto late last season to help with the Nuts’ playoff push. His contributions over the first half of the season, along with fellow top prospects Colt Emerson and Michael Arroyo, also helped steer Modesto to the best record in the league and secure playoff position for the Nuts for a second straight season. Montes was stellar in the Cal League, dropping his strikeout percentage to below 20% in his second look at the league while continuing to take his walks and impact the baseball when pitchers did put the ball on the plate. Even after being promoted, Montes still ended the season tied for third in homers in the Cal League with 13. Montes was slow to start after jumping up to High-A Everett but finished the season on a strong note, earning Player of the Week honors for a particularly scorching stretch in late August. His combination of big power and improved plate discipline earned him Top Prospect honors, as well. If you’re interested in seeing Lazaro, make sure to get to spring training this season or hurry up and see him in Everett towards the beginning of the year, because he likely won’t be there very long.

In addition to Montes’s big honor, UTIL player Luis Suisbel and INF Tai Peete also earned All-Star nods. Suisbel, after scuffling with strikeouts after a late season promotion in 2023, has rebounded to become the powerful slugger he projected to be, leading the league in home runs. The 21-year-old Venezuelan has cut down his strikeouts while continuing to take his walks and hit for power.

Peete has showcased defensive versatility all over the field and collected 45 stolen bases, falling just one short of tying the league lead. He came on strong at the end of the season, earning Player of the Week honors in late August, and displayed an exciting set of tools in his first full professional season.

You can watch Suisbel and Peete, along with the rest of the Modesto Nuts, as they go for a second straight Cal League championship tonight. Game time is 7:05 PM and you can watch on MiLB TV or listen for free with the MiLB app.