Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 70 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60

Teams were split on whether Montgomery had a brighter future as a hitter or pitcher when he was a Mississippi high schooler in 2021, but that decision was put on hold when he went undrafted because of his Stanford commitment. After he hit 35 homers and battled the strike zone in two years with the Cardinal, it's now obvious that he'll be an outfielder when he turns pro. He launched 27 homers this spring after transferring to Texas A&M for his junior season and will become the highest-drafted position player in Aggies history, surpassing Tyler Naquin (No. 15 overall in 2012), despite breaking his right ankle in the Super Regionals.

Montgomery had more of a hit-over-power profile in high school but that has reversed in college. A switch-hitter with strength and a quick, aggressive stroke from both sides of the plate, he does more damage as a lefty hitter and his plus power plays to all parts of the ballpark. He has improved his plate discipline and his ability to handle breaking balls during the last two seasons, but he still swings and misses at pitches in the zone a bit too often and will chase non-fastballs.

With average speed and plus-plus arm strength, Montgomery fits best in right field. As a pitcher, he can reach 96 mph with his fastball and miss some bats with his low-80s slider and mid-80s changeup. His lack of control and command limit his effectiveness, however, and he has a much higher ceiling and floor as an outfielder.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 70 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

One of the best two-way prospects in the 2021 Draft as a Mississippi high schooler, Montgomery went unselected because of his Stanford commitment. He hit 35 homers in two years with the Cardinal while establishing that he had a brighter future as a hitter, then launched 27 homers this spring after transferring to Texas A&M. Despite breaking his right ankle on an awkward slide in the NCAA super regionals, he still became the highest-drafted position player in Aggies history, going 12th overall to the Red Sox and signing for $5 million. He'll make his pro debut with the White Sox after switching organizations in the Garrett Crochet trade at the Winter Meetings in December.

Montgomery had more of a hit-over-power profile in high school but that has reversed, as he now has plus pop that plays to all parts of the ballpark. A switch-hitter with strength and a quick, aggressive stroke from both sides of the plate, he makes much more contact and does much more damage as a lefty. He has improved his plate discipline and his ability to handle breaking balls during the last two seasons, but he still swings and misses at pitches in the zone a bit too often and will chase non-fastballs.

With average speed and plus-plus arm strength, Montgomery fits best in right field. As a pitcher, he reached 96 mph with his fastball and missed some bats with his low-80s slider and mid-80s changeup. His lack of control and command limited his effectiveness, however, and he has a much higher ceiling and floor as an outfielder.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Montgomery could get drafted as either a hitter or a pitcher, with most teams valuing his bat more but some thinking he's better and has more untapped potential on the mound. He's also the rare Stanford commit from the Deep South, so his signability could be tricky. Gatorade's Mississippi high school player of the year, he won MVP honors in the state's 6-A playoffs after striking out 15 in the semifinals and leading Madison Central to the title.

Montgomery is reminiscent of Robert Hassell, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 Draft, as a hit-over-power outfielder who could wind up on a corner and is also a legitimate prospect as a pitcher. A switch-hitter, he has a better right-handed stroke but has a quick swing and repeatedly barrels balls from both sides of the plate -- though he has swung and missed a bit more than expected this spring. He has a mature approach, controlling the strike zone while looking to drive the ball from gap to gap, and his combination of hitting ability, strength and bat speed should create at least average power. 

While Montgomery flashes some solid run times, he's more of an average runner and likely will land in right field rather than sticking in center. His plus arm will fit anywhere in the outfield and is also capable of reaching 96 mph on the mound. He usually operates at 92-93, shows some feel for spinning a curveball and utilizing a changeup, and could develop three solid offerings with control to match if he focused on pitching. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	12/11/2024	Chicago White Sox traded LHP Garrett Crochet to Boston Red Sox for C Kyle Teel, OF Braden Montgomery, 3B Chase Meidroth and RHP Wikelman Gonzalez.
	12/11/2024	OF Braden Montgomery assigned to ACL White Sox.
	08/05/2024	OF Braden Montgomery assigned to FCL Red Sox.
	07/29/2024	Boston Red Sox signed OF Braden Montgomery.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated OF Braden Montgomery.
	02/20/2024	RHP Braden Montgomery assigned to Texas A&M Aggies.
	06/29/2023	College Workout activated RHP Braden Montgomery.
	06/26/2023	RHP Braden Montgomery assigned to USAB Stars Team.
	06/09/2023	Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox activated RHP Braden Montgomery.
	07/02/2022	USAB Stripes Team activated RHP Braden Montgomery.
	07/02/2022	RHP Braden Montgomery assigned to USAB Stripes Team.
	07/01/2022	RHP Braden Montgomery and assigned to College Workout.
	06/18/2020	RHP Braden Montgomery assigned to PG National 10 - Red.
	06/18/2020	OF Braden Montgomery assigned to PG National 10 - Red.