With incredible physical tools already at 18 years old, many scouts project that Benny Montgomery is a lock for the first round and possibly a top-20 pick. The outfielder at Red Land High School in Lewisberry, PA does it all. Let’s take a look at where he may land in July.
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Benny Montgomery, OF, Lewisberry, PA
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 200 lbs.
Age: 18
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
High School: 27G -.359/.418/.487, 2 HRs, 14 SBs (2018-19)
Scouting Grades
Hit: 45
Power: 60
Run: 70
Arm: 60
Field: 55
Overall: 55
Montgomery has as much physical talent as any player in the draft. He has immense power, blazing speed, and a cannon for an arm. The University of Virginia commit has attracted a ton of attention from scouts. Among MLB Draft prospects, he ranks #21 on MLB.com and #22 on Fangraphs.
Strengths
Montgomery has put up 100+mph exit velocities, 97 mph throws from the outfield, and sub-6.50 60-yard dash times. He obviously has incredible tools. His power comes naturally and he does not need to sell out to destroy the baseball. The Pennsylvania high-schooler uses his long, rangy frame well and has very good leverage while posting elite bat speed. He won the Perfect Game All-America Game Home Run Derby in September 2020 and actually launched a ball at 104 mph…off a tee.
Speaking of speed, Montgomery is fast especially once he gets his long legs moving. He uses his speed well, not just to steal bases, but to run down balls in the gaps when manning centerfield. It is the main reason many scouts believe he will stick in center. On the bases the 18-year-old has no problem swiping bags. For a tall player, he gets going fairly quickly and is aggressive on the base paths. Montgomery pitched a little in High School. He throws in the mid-90s but has been clocked at 97 from the outfield.
Weaknesses
While Montgomery posts ridiculous exit velocities, the major question is if he can get to that power in-game. He had an awkward way of putting himself into hitting position. He was very twitchy with a lot of moving parts. It caused him to pop the ball up. The Red Land outfielder also had trouble timing up pitches, especially breaking balls. Although Montgomery has been working on cleaning up his mechanics at the plate, he will have to continue to improve to make consistent contact at the next level.
The only other question is a minor one. Some scouts believe as Montgomery fills out his 6-foot-4 frame, he may lose a little speed. He currently uses that speed to make up for his average judgment on fly balls. If he slows down a bit and doesn’t improve his timing in centerfield, he could wind up at a corner outfield spot. His power will still play and he would likely be an above-average right or left fielder, it is just a minor ding against Montgomery.
Pro Comparison: Cody Bellinger
The Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder’s hit tool didn’t jump off the charts either when he was drafted in the fourth round out of High School. He made adjustments and used the leverage of his own 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame to become a Rookie of the Year and an MVP. Montgomery, with adjustments as well, certainly has the tools to be just as good of a major leaguer. He is also even faster than Bellinger.
Draft Projection: Round 1, Pick 19, Toronto Blue Jays
After last year’s five picks, where three were pitchers and all five were college players, the Blue Jays select Montgomery here just inside the top 20. Toronto has the luxury of taking their time with the High Schooler from Lewisberry. They have a couple of outfielders signed through at 2023 in Randal Grichuk and Teoscar Hernandez. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is locked up through 2024 and George Springer is there through 2026. Montgomery could be mashing homers and patrolling centerfield at the Rogers Centre in a few years.
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