Born and raised in the Pelham Park section of the Bronx, New York, Monell attended Christopher Columbus High School. Monell's father, Johnny Sr., spent 17 years in professional baseball but never made it to the major league level. Monell was originally drafted out of high school by the San Francisco Giants but decided to attend Seminole Community College. Monell was then drafted by the New York Mets in the 49th round in 2006, but turned it down. In 2007, Monell was drafted again by the Giants, this time in the 30th round, and he finally signed.[1]
Monell was called up to the majors for the first time on September 2, 2013, by the Giants.[2] He flew out to left center field in his debut as a pinch hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 5. His first Major League hit was a single off of Peter Moylan of the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 14. That was his only hit in 8 at-bats for the Giants that September. He was designated for assignment on November 27.[3]
Monell was sold to the Baltimore Orioles on November 30, 2013,[4] who then designated him for assignment again on March 24, 2014.[5] He was outrighted to the AAA Norfolk Tides, where he hit .209 in 30 games.
On May 28, 2014, Monell was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash, and assigned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.[6] In 38 games for the Isotopes, he hit .261.
Monell signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets on November 6, 2014.[7] He was called up to the Mets on May 5, 2015.[8] Monell finished the 2015 season appearing in 27 games with .167 batting average in 48 at-bats in 52 plate appearances while compiling 8 hits, 4 walks, 4 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. On December 18, 2015, Monell was designated for assignment to make room for Bartolo Colón.[9] On December 23, 2015, Monell was outrighted to the Las Vegas 51s.[10][11]
On April 13, 2018, it was announced that Monell had signed a minor league contract with the Mets organization following injuries to two Mets catchers.[14] Monell retired on August 4, 2018, for unspecified reasons.[15]
