MLB Draft: Red Sox pick power-hitting outfielder in first round

MLB Draft: Red Sox select power-hitting outfielder in first round appeared first on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox have acquired a first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, adding another big-time hitter to their roster.

With the 12th overall pick, the Red Sox selected outfielder Braden Montgomery from Texas A&M University. The 21-year-old Montgomery appeared in 67 games for the university last season, batting .322/.454/.733 with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs.

This marks the seventh consecutive year that the Red Sox have selected a position player with their first pick.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Montgomery is a switch-hitter with plenty of power, a strong arm in the outfield, and a veteran pitcher from his time at Stanford and Texas A&M.

Below is a detailed scouting report from MLB.com, who ranked Montgomery as the No. 8 overall prospect.

“Montgomery was a hitting-oriented player in high school, but that has flipped in college. He is a switch-hitter who hits hard, fast and aggressively from both sides of the plate. He does more damage as a left-handed hitter, and his plus power comes from all over the ballpark. He has improved his plate discipline and his ability to deal with curveballs over the past two seasons, but he still swings and misses on pitches in the zone too often and tends to chase pitches that aren’t fastballs..

““With his average speed and plus-plus arm strength, Montgomery is best suited as a right fielder. As a pitcher, his fastball can reach 96 mph and he can get hitters off with his low-80s slider and mid-80s changeup. But his control and lack of mastery limit his effectiveness, and he’s much more likely to be an outfielder.”

Montgomery broke his ankle in Game 1 of the Aggies’ super regional matchup against Oregon, but after being drafted by Boston, he felt confident the injury wouldn’t be a long-term problem.

The Red Sox will again select with the 50th overall pick in the second round. Rounds three through ten will take place at 2 p.m. ET on Monday, with rounds 11 through 20 taking place at the same time on Tuesday.