Braden
Montgomery

Cape Cod: After playing for the Collegiate National Team early in the summer, Montgomery, who is transferring from Stanford to Texas A&M, arrived on the Cape late and appeared in 13 regular-season games at the plate for Y-D, batting .340 in 53 at-bats. His big-time power from both sides of the plate has been apparent since he arrived at Stanford two years ago, but he made big strides from year one to year two in controlling the strike zone, as his strikeout rate dropped from 26% to 20%. Though there is still some swing and miss in his game, his strikeout rate didn’t balloon and his walk rate didn’t shrink this summer with the CNT and on the Cape, which should be taken as a good sign that he’s maintained that progress. He also showed an impressive ability this summer in his short stay on the Cape to use the whole field with authority. Though the stolen base hasn’t traditionally been a big part of his game, he does have plus speed, which combined with a 70-grade throwing arm makes him an asset defensively in right field. He also puts that arm to use on the mound, where he made three appearances for Y-D. In those three appearances, he showed why there’s still intrigue about him as a pitcher and why he hasn’t pitched more to this point of his career. In three innings, he struck out six batters but also walked six. If he can throw strikes with regularity, he can be a two-way weapon for A&M in 2024, but either way, his future is likely in right field and standing in the batter’s box. 

USA CNT: Two-way talent who also profiles as a reliever at the pro level with a 70-grade arm from the outfield. In the batter’s box Montgomery is a switch-hitter with power from both sides. He showed great improvement controlling the strike zone during his sophomore season for the Cardinal, lowering his strikeout rate from 26% to just over 20% and balancing his BB/SO ratio to 51/64 compared to just 18/73 as a true freshman in 2022. For the CNT he didn’t show much pop during the trials, batting .308 (4-for-13) with all singles. However, during the series against Chinese Taipei and its lesser pitching staff he slugged a pair of long balls in 15 at-bats while also stealing a pair of bags with his plus speed. Already a slam dunk Day One prospect, with continued improvement controlling the strike zone Montgomery is a potential first rounder in 2024.

Cape Cod: One of the top overall players (and perhaps the best two-way talent) in the 2024 draft class, Montgomery showcased impressive power stuff in limited action with Y-D (joining the Red Sox for a couple weeks after his time with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team concluded). Limited to just 18.2 innings with Stanford this spring and three innings with the USACNT, the hard throwing righty looked in mid-season form, pumping 93-96 mph fastballs (2310-2500 rpm). His secondaries, likewise, were on point, starting with a plus changeup at 87 mph that tunneled off the fastball before finishing with hard armside dive. His slider worked 83-85 mph with sharp vertical action and worked most effectively as a chase pitch late in the count or as a "show me" offering early on to set up the fastball/changeup one-two punch. The raw stuff could play either in the late innings or as a starter, but the fastball can be easy to track at times and there may be some work to do stretching out his stamina to handle longer outings. At the collegiate level, will also need to weigh the import of keeping him fresh and in the lineup as much as possible to make use of his middle-of-the-order pop. There are a lot of different ways for this profile to shake out before the 2024 MLB draft. It should be a fun ride watching Montgomery ultimately find his way to the draft board a couple years from now and Stanford is hoping that path involves a couple more stop-offs in Omaha along the way.

USA CNT TRIALS: HITTER: Enjoyed a monster freshman year as a starter for his Stanford Cardinal, hitting for power and average while holding down an outfield corner in over 60 starts. The raw power is double-plus and he had perhaps the best outfield arm of the entire crop on display in Cary (he can also dial it up to 96 mph on the mound with a power slider). As a two-way player with impact potential on the mound, in the box and in the outfield, he’s a likely USA CNT candidate for 2023 and an early up-board target for the 2024 draft class. PITCHER: A blue-chip two-way prospect out of high school, the jury is still out on whether Montgomery’s pro future is on the mound or in the outfield; he hit 18 homers and showed premium arm strength in right field as a freshman for Stanford this spring, while posting a 5.79 ERA in 18.2 innings off the mound, but walking more than a batter per inning (21 BB and 28 K). His stuff was electric in two relief appearances in North Carolina; he threw exclusively 95-97 mph heaters with premium spin in the 2500s in his first outing, recording two quick flyball outs to extract his club from an inherited jam. Two days later, he ran his heater up to 98 and mixed in an excellent tumbling changeup at 86-89, resulting in two swing-and-misses among the three times he used it. He also recorded two strikeouts on 96-97 heaters in that scoreless inning. Montgomery has an up-tempo delivery and a loose arm swing to a high slot, and his premium athleticism is an obvious asset on the mound. He’s far from a finished product, but his ceiling as a pitcher is tantalizing, though his operation has a relieverish look to it, and we did not get to see a breaking ball in his two appearances.

Six-foot-3, 196-pound athletic frame. At the plate, the switch hitter showed his power ability with an exit velocity of 92 mph on both sides. Very similar from both sides of the plate, beginning in a balanced athletic stance with a smooth load, then used a small leg kick to start his swing. Bat speed was above average, and he had good extension on his finish. He found lots of barrels with loud contact. Gap to gap approach. In the outfield, he showed a plus arm and had life on his throws with a position velocity of 92 mph. Above average in the infield, had a live arm with throws that topped out at 86 mph; clean exchange. Had an-over-the-top slot with a loose arm action. Recorded a time of 7.18 in the 60-yard dash. Can take over a game on multiple levels!

Madison Central, 2021, 6’2” 189lb, OF/RHP At the plate Montgomery showed a similar swing from both sides. Using a very subtle and short stride with controlled aggression into contact, he displayed a 90 mph exit velocity from each side. From the outfield he displayed an above average arm with velocity reaching 92 mph.While on the mound he showed lots of maturity with a very synced up and repeatable delivery with a fastball reaching 91 mph. Showed good feel and movement with a plus slider that stayed in the 77-79 mph range.

Braden Montgomery: Germantown High School, Class of 2021; 6-foot-2, 189-pound projectable frame; OF/RHP. At the plate, the switch hitter clocked an exit velocity of 87 mph. In the infield, his best throw was registered at 79 mph.  He made strong, efficient throws to second at velocities up to 75 mph. While catching, he had pop times of 2.10-2.10;