Lazaro Montes, the Cuban sensation, once again made waves in Major League Baseball on Friday night. As a pinch hitter, he launched a two-run homer measuring a whopping 430 feet, leveling the score 4-4 against the Oakland Athletics in the sixth inning. This marked his third home run since being called up to MLB.
The blast, which the league's official account celebrated with "Laz Montes goes deep!", ultimately wasn't enough to secure a win for the Seattle Mariners. They succumbed to a 6-5 defeat in ten innings after Donovan Walton's walk-off home run.
Montes has now accumulated a total of 40 home runs during the 2026 season. He hit 37 of these while playing in Double-A and Triple-A before his promotion and has added three more since joining the big leagues earlier this September.
For a 21-year-old in his first MLB stint, these figures are nothing short of remarkable. Montes, hailing from Havana, has quickly established himself as one of the most electrifying Cuban rookies in recent years.
Early Milestones and Record-Breaking Debut
Since his MLB debut, Montes has been on a record-breaking spree. On September 1st at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox, he smashed a 407-foot home run, becoming the youngest player in Mariners history to achieve such a feat at just 21 years and 314 days old.
A week later, facing the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park, he set the record for the longest home run in the stadium's Statcast era—474 feet with an exit velocity of 116.1 mph. This surpassed Mike Zunino's 470-foot mark from 2018 and matched the longest in current MLB season alongside Fernando Tatis Jr..
Promising Future Amidst Team Struggles
Montes signed with Seattle back in January 2022 as an international free agent, securing a $2.5 million signing bonus. In the 2026 minor league season, he compiled 38 home runs, 96 RBIs, and an impressive OPS of .927 across 123 games with Arkansas and Tacoma, elevating him to MLB Pipeline's 43rd prospect overall and third within the Mariners organization.
Despite Montes's individual success, the Mariners face a challenging season. With 69 wins and 79 losses, they trail six games behind both the Wild Card and their division leader, leaving slim hopes for a postseason appearance.
Montes has been a beacon of hope in an otherwise disappointing season for the Mariners, raising questions about the potential impact he could have over a full MLB season.
Lazaro Montes's MLB Impact and Future Prospects
How has Lazaro Montes performed in his MLB debut season?
Lazaro Montes has made a significant impact with 40 home runs in the 2026 season, including three in MLB. His impressive debut has marked him as one of the most promising Cuban players in recent years.
What records has Montes set in his debut MLB season?
Montes set records with a 407-foot home run at Fenway Park, becoming the youngest Mariner to achieve this. He also set the longest home run record at T-Mobile Park at 474 feet, matching the longest in the MLB season.
What challenges do the Seattle Mariners face this season?
The Mariners have struggled, with a record of 69 wins and 79 losses. They are six games behind in both the Wild Card race and their division, facing a low probability of making the playoffs.