In 2014, at age 17, Monasterio tried out for the Chicago Cubs at the organization's Venezuelan academy. The Cubs were impressed and signed him to a contract on March 7, 2014. He made his professional debut with the Venezuelan Summer League Cubs. In 2015, Monasterio played in 42 games for the rookie-level Arizona League Cubs, hitting .252/.346/.348 with one home run and 16 RBI.[1]
Originally a shortstop, Monasterio began seeing regular time as a second baseman starting in the 2016 season with the Single-A South Bend Cubs.[2] Playing in 65 games between South Bend and the Low-A Eugene Emeralds, he hit .247/.294/.308 with one home run, 23 RBI, and 8 stolen bases.[3] In 2017, Monasterio played in 84 contests split between South Bend and the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, posting a .270/.341/.346 batting line with one home run, 28 RBI, and 8 stolen bases.[4]
Monasterio began the 2018 season with Myrtle Beach, playing in 109 games and hitting .263/.359/.336 with career-highs in home runs (3) and RBI (36).[5]
Washington Nationals
On August 21, 2018, Monasterio was traded to the Washington Nationals in exchange for Daniel Murphy and cash considerations.[6] Monasterio was assigned to the Potomac Nationals of the High-A Carolina League, where he excelled, hitting .308 with 5 RBI and 2 stolen bases in 13 games.[7]
Baseball scout Adam McInturff of 2080 Baseball described Monasterio in 2018 as a "high-floor prospect" with "above-average" defense, but not much power on offense.[8]
Cleveland Indians
On November 30, 2018, Jefry Rodríguez, Daniel Johnson, and a player to be named later were traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Yan Gomes.[9] On December 17, Monasterio was sent to Cleveland as the unnamed player.[10] Monasterio spent the 2019 season with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks. Although he missed brief time with an oblique injury, Monasterio played in 70 games and batted .217/.279/.253 with one home run and 11 RBI.[11]
Monasterio did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] He elected free agency following the season on November 2, 2020.[13] On November 9, Monasterio re-signed with the team on a minor league contract.[14] In 2021, Monasterio played in 107 games split between Akron and the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, hitting a cumulative .287/.371/.442 with 8 home runs, 61 RBI, and 7 stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2021.[15]
Milwaukee Brewers
On November 10, 2021, Monasterio signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.[16] On August 1, 2022, while playing for the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers, Monasterio hit a walk-off grand slam to defeat the Montgomery Biscuits in 11 innings.[17] In 110 games split between Biloxi and the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, he slashed .271/.364/.406 with 9 home runs, 44 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.[18]
Monasterio returned to Nashville to begin the 2023 season, where he played in 42 games and hit .274/.410/.400 with 4 home runs, 19 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.[19]
MLB debut
On May 27, 2023, Monasterio was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time after Willy Adames was placed on the concussion list.[20][21] He made his MLB debut on May 28, and recorded his first career hit two days later on his 26th birthday.[22][23] On June 4, Monasterio hit his first major league home run, a three–run shot off of Ben Lively of the Cincinnati Reds.[24] Just over a month later on July 16, Monasterio came up with his first career go-ahead RBI with a single off Reds All-Star closer Alexis Diaz in the top of the 8th inning to take a 4-3 lead.[25] He finished the season appearing in 92 games, had 282 at bats, and slashed .259/.330/.348 with 3 home runs and 27 RBI. [26]
2024
After making the Brewers opening day roster and starting on opening day, Monasterio was optioned to Triple-A Nashville after playing just 4 games in the first 2 weeks of the season. He was brought back up on April 19 but was again optioned on April 22 without seeing a plate appearance. [27]