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With today’s news that catcher Jesus Montero has been added to the roster for next Wednesday’s Double-A Eastern League All-Star Game at Trenton’s Waterfront Park, the game has become a must-see for Yankees fans. Montero has exploded over the past two seasons – his first two as a full-season prospect in the Yankees minor league system. Last year for Low-A Charleston, Montero hit .326 with 17 homers and 87 RBI. He then began this season at High-A Tampa along with the Yankees other top catching prospect, Austin Romine. But after hitting .356 with eight homers and 37 RBI in 48 games with Tampa, the Yankees promoted Montero to Trenton in June 3.

After he struggled through a brief adjustment period to life in Double-A, Montero’s production has once again taken off recently. Over his last 10 games, he is hitting .333 (13-for-39) with five homers and 10 RBI. In 26 games with Trenton, Montero is hitting .299 with five homers and 15 RBI.

Between the two levels, Montero is hitting .336 with 13 homers and 52 RBI, as well as a .391 on-base percentage and .556 slugging percentage. Add in the fact that he doesn’t turn 20 until October, and it’s easy to see why the Yankees are so excited about him.

Along with his inclusion in the Eastern League All-Star Game, Montero also is going to play in the Futures Game, which will take place next Sunday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis – the site of next week’s All-Star Game. The game pits American prospects against one made up of players from countries around the globe. Montero, a native of Venezuela, will play for the World Team.