SL PLAYOFFS: Montgomery to lean on Montgomery
Mason Montgomery has made an immediate impact for the Biscuits’ pitching staff, earning three wins and an ERA at 2.48 at the Double A level. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
Mason Montgomery is one of the most effective pitchers in Tampa Bay’s minor league system.
While his fastball only hits the low 90s, his delivery hides the ball effectively from opposing batters and the ball rides across the zone in a way that has boosted him quickly from college to Single-A to Double-A in a little more than a year.
“I think it’s just a talent,” Montgomery said. “I never really tried to say, ‘I want my fastball to do this.’ I just take the pitch and that’s just what it does.”
The Biscuits open a Best-of-3 series against Pensacola at Riverwalk Stadium on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) will take place in Pensacola on Thursday and Friday.
Montgomery is part of a talented group of Rays’ 2021 draft picks, including Biscuit teammates Kyle Manzardo at first base and reliever Sean Hunley, the Bowling Green trio of outfielder Dru Baker and pitchers Sean Mullen and Patrick Wicklander and Charleston shortstop Carson Williams.
Montgomery was a three-year starter at Texas Tech when he was drafted by the Rays in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. He could have decided to return to Lubbock for his senior year, but figured it was time to live out his dream.
“At that point, I think I knew it was time for me to go and start my career,” said Montgomery, who plans to return and get his degree in sports management. “If anything, my thoughts weren’t necessarily about going back and getting drafted higher, it was more about getting my degree. But I think I was ready to go.”
From Texas Tech to Bowling Green to the Biscuits, Montgomery has made an impact everywhere he has been.
“We’re talking about a guy who has been very effective very quickly,” Montgomery manager Morgan Ensberg said. “Obviously, he was a collegiate player last year so it’s been a very quick rise, but I think that’s a testament to not only his performance but how his stuff grades out. It’s really good. And he needs to be challenged.”
Montgomery is rated as the second best Rays’ minor league pitcher behind former Biscuit Taj Bradley (who is now at Triple-A Durham) after spending last fall in the Florida Complex League, the spring at Single-A and the summer in Montgomery, but hasn’t thought much about his rapid move through the minor league ranks.
“To be honest, my thoughts were to just do what I know to do, just pitch,” Montgomery said. “You’ve got older guys who know how things work, but my whole goal was to just do the best I could and focus on what I’m able to do and the rest will come.
“The good thing I love about the moving (up through the minor-league ranks) is it all stays the same. There’s good communication, so right now I’m developing more of a changeup. I’ve been a big fastball-slider guy this year. I have the changeup but I’m just working on throwing it more.”
He pitched the first 16 games of the year at Bowling Green, compiling a 3-2 record and 1.81 earned run average. In 27 starts, he allowed just 29 earned runs, striking out 171 batters while walking just 43. His earned run average for the season is a paltry 2.10.
“He has a very funky delivery, hides the ball real well,” catcher Blake Hunt said. “He also creates what we call induced vertical break, so he releases the ball really well and because it’s coming from behind (his body), it’s kind of sneaky. His fastball velo isn’t really high, but it plays better to a hitter, seems faster than it is, and he has a plus-plus changeup.”
“There’s definitely a jump, a little better competition, but for the most part, especially when I’m on the mound, I’m not thinking about it,” said Montgomery, who is 0-0 with a 3.81 earned run average. “I just continue to pitch my game. But obviously you’re going to have a little more talent up here.”
Major League analysts put Montgomery’s arrival in Tampa Bay at 2024. Those analysts, however, would have to be surprised at how rapidly the Austin, Texas native has ascended through the ranks over the past year. Not surprisingly, Montgomery hasn’t given it much thought.
“I’m just here to pitch,” he said. “I’m going to continue to do what I do and let the rest come. Get out there and play some baseball, throw the ball in the zone and see how it works out.”
For tickets to Tuesday’s game, visit biscuitsbaseball.com or go by the ticket office at Riverwalk Stadium.