LaMonte Wade Jr.

LaMonte Aaron Wade Jr., often referred to by his nicknames “Late Night LaMonte” or “Late Inning LaMonte,” is a professional American baseball player known for his exceptional skill and strength as a first baseman and outfielder. Born on January 1, 1994, this Maryland native has notched an impressive career within Major League Baseball (MLB). He has spent the majority of his career playing for the San Francisco Giants, although he made his initial MLB debut in 2019 with the Minnesota Twins.

Before his professional baseball career, LaMonte’s athletic prowess was apparent earlier in life, showing promise as a baseball and basketball player at St. Paul’s School in Brooklandville, Maryland. As a multi-talented athlete, he dominated the field as an outfielder and pitcher, earning significant recognition due to his impressive performance in high school. His accolades included a place on the All-Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association team during 2010, 2011, and 2012. He was also placed on the 2011 and 2012 Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches Preseason All-State team. Wade Jr. was also selected for the All-Metro teams by the Baltimore Sun in 2011 and 2012. His power and precision on the baseball diamond did not go unnoticed, as he was ranked the No.1 prospect in the 2012 class in Maryland by Dynamic Baseball.

Wade Jr.’s talent caught the attention of sports scouts, leading him to play college baseball at the University of Maryland, College Park, as part of the Maryland Terrapins team. Transitioning from a first baseman in his freshman year to a center fielder, he exhibited remarkable flexibility. His statistics during 2015 were an impressive .335/.453/.468 which ranked him second in the Big Ten Conference. Throughout his three years with the Terrapins, he maintained a .394 on-base percentage and demonstrated his patience and judgment by walking more times than he struck out.

In 2015, Wade Jr. was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the ninth round of the MLB draft, securing his position with a substantial signing bonus. His first professional outing was with the Rookie-level Appalachian League, playing for the Elizabethton Twins. He notably claimed the spot as an Appalachian League post-season All-Star owing to his stellar performance. His growth and performance propelled him to Single-A Midwest League’s Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Continuing to outperform on the field, Wade Jr. was an integral part of the 2016 Midwest League All-Star Game. Thereafter, he was promoted to the High-A Florida State League where he played for the Fort Myers Miracle. His performance in 2017 with the Double-A Southern League’s Chattanooga Lookouts was equally impressive, earning him the honor as a Southern League mid-season All-Star.

Despite an impressive run in the minor leagues, Wade Jr. was eager to make an impact on a larger stage. This became a reality when he was promoted to the major leagues by the Twins in June 2019 making his debut against the Chicago White Sox. However, his journey with the Twins was relatively short, as he was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitcher Shaun Anderson in February 2021.

In the 2021 regular season, Wade Jr. drew attention due to his late-game heroics, earning him his nicknames “Late Night LaMonte” and “Late Inning LaMonte.” His exceptional performances did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded the prestigious Willie Mac Award as the team’s most inspirational player.

As of 2023, Wade Jr. continues to contribute significantly to the Giants’ team while his passion, skill, and commitment to the sport remain unshaken. Whether he is fielding at first base or in the outfield, feeding off the crowd’s energy under the stadium lights, he is certifiably one of baseball’s exceptional players. Regardless of the challenges and obstacles that stand in his way, Late Night LaMonte meets each one head-on, consistently proving why he is invaluable to the San Francisco Giants and the world of baseball.