Yankees farm report: Jesus Montero

Catching prospect Jesus Montero, 20, the prize of the Yankees' minor-league system, made his 2010 debut with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last night against Buffalo.

The 6-4, 225-pound Montero has advanced through the system quickly since signing with the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent in October 2006. Last year with Class A Tampa and Double-A Trenton, Montero hit .337 with 17 homers and 70 RBIs in 92 games. He ranked fourth among all Yankees minor-leaguers in home runs and was named to midseason All-Star teams with both Tampa and Trenton.

Montero saw limited action in spring training, going 3-for-8 in eight games, and the biggest question surrounding him is whether he'll make his major-league debut in 2010. Right now, it's a long shot, but the Yankees have said that if Montero hits at Triple-A the way he has in the lower levels of the system and the big club find itself in need of a bat as the season progresses, it's very possible.