Masked potential

JESUS MONTERO IS IN PAIN. Early one morning during Seattle's spring training, a Mariners coach has been pelting baseballs at the 22-year-old catcher -- the latest of which has taken a tricky bounce into Montero's left wrist. He tries to shake away the sting, but he can't shake the fact that his new team isn't celebrating his acquisition because of his defense. The Mariners love what comes after he sheds his mask, shin guards and chest protector for batting practice, where the righty proceeds to hit moon shot after moon shot, many over the rightfield wall.

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Jorge Arangure Jr.

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• Senior writer for ESPN The Magazine
• Joined ESPN in May 2007