PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Whenever the pitching coach Frank Viola gave Rafael Montero instructions during his time with the Las Vegas 51s in recent years, Montero would nod or acknowledge them in some nonverbal way. Montero was shy and not fluent in English, but Viola could tell by Montero’s body language and actions if he understood.
By accident almost, coaches tend to learn to read Montero well.
That is how Viola could tell something was wrong last April, when the Mets sent Montero to the 51s, their Class AAA affiliate. After cruising through the Mets’ organization as a top prospect, Montero was finally facing adversity.