Prospect: Troy Montgomery - Rank: 18
2015/16: UR Position(s): Outfielder
Level: Class A Ball Age: Entering Age 22 season in 2017.
Height: 5'10” Weight: 185 lb.
Present - Future
Hitting Ability: 40 - 50
Power: 45 - 50
Base Running: 65 - 65
Patience: 55 - 60
Fielding: 60 - 60
Range: 60 - 60
Arm: 60 - 60
Overall: 45 - 60
Floor: AAA Depth.
Ceiling: Starting outfielder and leadoff hitter in the major leagues.
Likely Outcome: Dynamic 4th outfielder
Summary: Montgomery is one of my favorite types of players to get drafted. The type that don't have any hype, and don't come with the over-used "5-tool" moniker. Just really good ball players, that do just about everything average or better on a baseball diamond. The type that perform well at a big-time college, but fall to the 8th round of a draft because they're only 5'10" tall. The type that play a game with such intensity, that others can't help but look up to this player. Just good old fashioned, blue-collar hard work and the will to win.
If you haven't caught on, I just described Kole Calhoun. In fact, Troy even looks a bit like Kole Calhoun out there, minus the fiery red hair, and slightly less muscular. Same left-handedness, similar skill-set, athleticism, same passion and competitive spirit.
That's what we'll see if everything breaks right for Troy Montgomery, a Kole Calhoun type of regular. It's no wonder the Reds asked for Montgomery in return when they were discussing trading Brandon Phillips to the Angels. At Ohio State, Montgomery logged more BB than K, stole 56 bases between his junior and senior season, owned an OBP well north of .400, played in competitive scouting leagues during the offseason and performed spectacularly, and to top it off, was an elite defender.
It still makes me shake my head that guys like this last until the middle rounds of the draft when at bare minimum, you have yourself a useful depth piece between AAA and the majors. Once drafted by the Angels, Montgomery torched Orem and the Pioneer League in general, and was promoted to Burlington, where he was quite solid, if not "pretty good".
From the scouting side of things, Troy is a left handed hitter with more pop than the numbers show. Sure, he's a speedy leadoff hitter that reaches base and can hit for average, but Troy swings hard, yet under control. There's "plus" bat speed and an advanced feel at the plate. Every once in a while he'll swing out of his shoes, but not too often. Defensively, Montgomery can cover a ton of ground in CF and has a rocket for an arm, though the Angels have been using him in the corner outfield to start.
What to expect next season: Montgomery should head to Advanced A Ball at Inland Empire next season, and I'm guessing he'll put up the gaudy HR/SB numbers (at least on the road) that will really open the eyes of more casual fans, and thus his ranking as a prospect will climb. Personally, I'll be watching to see how much contact Troy makes, if he's using the whole field, and continues to show patience as many patient hitters don't do in the Cal League environment. With Troy, there is the off-chance the Cal League is too easy and he'll be bumped up to AA for the season, but I wouldn't count on it. Even Kole Calhoun was kept at Inland Empire for a full year.
Estimated Time of Arrival: Mid 2019, Troy's age 24 season.
Grade as a prospect: C+: Projects to be a borderline MLB starter.