Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Cypress High School in Orange County, Calif., has produced a fair share of baseball talent over the years, including former top 10 picks Scott Moore (2002) and Josh Vitters (2007). But it hasn’t had a player taken in the top 10 rounds since David Nick was a fourth-rounder in 2009. Montgomery, a strong, physical catcher who stood out in showcase events last summer like MLB’s PDP League, the High School Home Run Derby last summer in Seattle and the Area Code Games, is hoping to end that draught.

At 6-foot-4, Montgomery is a presence from the right side of the plate. There’s plenty of raw power for him to tap into, and he’s done it against good competition, including at the Area Code Games. He uses a small leg kick to help with timing, and while there is some length in his swing and he can open up too soon at times, he’s done a good job overall of making contact against good pitching, both last summer and during his senior season.

It remains to be seen if Montgomery can stick behind the plate long-term. He has plenty of arm for the position and does have some receiving skills to work with, but his size could kick him to first base or perhaps a corner outfield spot in the future. Regardless of where he plays, it’s his bat that could get the Arizona State recruit off the board during Day 2.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Cypress High School in Orange County, Calif., has produced its fair share of baseball talent over the years, including former top 10 picks Scott Moore (2002) and Josh Vitters (2007). But it hadn’t had a player taken in the top 10 rounds since David Nick was a fourth-rounder in 2009 until the Braves took Montgomery, a strong and physical catcher who had stood out in showcase events last summer like MLB’s PDP League, the High School Home Run Derby in Seattle and the Area Code Games, and the Draft Combine this June. The organization took him in Round 5 and signed him away from his Arizona State commitment by going more than double his slot value, signing him for close to $1 million.

At 6-foot-4, Montgomery is a presence from the right side of the plate. There’s plenty of raw power for him to tap into, and he’s done it against good competition. He uses a small leg kick to help with timing, and while there is some length in his swing and he can open up too soon at times, he’s done a good job overall of making contact against good pitching.

It remains to be seen if Montgomery can stick behind the plate long-term. He has plenty of arm for the position and does have some receiving skills to work with, but his size could kick him to first base or perhaps a corner outfield spot in the future. Regardless of where he plays, it’s his bat that the Braves were buying.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/05/2024	C Nick Montgomery assigned to FCL Braves.
	07/22/2024	Atlanta Braves signed C Nick Montgomery.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated C Nick Montgomery.
	05/29/2024	College Workout activated C Nick Montgomery.
	01/30/2024	C Nicholas Montgomery assigned to High School Workout.
	09/13/2023	C Nick Montgomery assigned to High School Workout.
	08/16/2023	C Nicholas Montgomery assigned to High School Workout.
	09/21/2022	1B Nicholas Montgomery and assigned to High School Workout.