Pick so nice they drafted him twice: Marlins take Montgomery again
The Marlins liked what they saw from two-sport prep star Torin Montgomery in 2019. The Marlins liked what they saw from Missouri first baseman Torin Montgomery in '22.
On Tuesday during the 14th round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Miami selected Montgomery for the second time, making him the first such player since senior director of amateur scouting DJ Svihlik joined the organization. The club also chose Montgomery in the 35th round in 2019 out of Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Wash.
"The same thing that we liked back then is what we like now," Svihlik said. "All we're doing, though, is acquiring a player that has a little more track record, and he's proven some of our thoughts correct."
• Draft Tracker: Complete pick-by-pick coverage
Instead of signing a professional contract, Montgomery elected to play at Boise State, where he started each of the 13 games he played in 2020 before the COVID-19 shutdown. He was batting .308 with three doubles, two triples, three home runs and nine RBIs en route to being named All-Mountain West.
• 'Pure hitter' Berry, hard-throwing Miller highlight Marlins' 1st round
When the Broncos made some changes to their athletic department, Svihlik fielded calls from SEC programs asking about the prospective transfer. Montgomery wound up a Mizzou Tiger, leading the club with 30 RBIs and 30 runs in 2021. The 21-year-old was even better in '22, when he paced Missouri with a .365 average, 12 doubles and 49 RBIs. He added seven homers and compiled a .462 on-base percentage.
"It's a true honor to be accepted in the Marlins system," Montgomery wrote to MLB.com. "Everyone I have met to this point in the organization has been extremely genuine. Out of high school up until now, I have been shown respect by them -- and it certainly shows with the opportunity to be redrafted! I'm excited to be a part of the Marlins, and will give my all to reflect that respect back to them."
Svihlik compared Montgomery's window to that of Ivan Melendez, whom the Marlins took in the 16th round in 2021. Melendez returned to Texas and won the Golden Spikes Award, given to the top amateur baseball player in the country. The D-backs chose him in the second round on Sunday.
• Marlins stick to philosophy of pitching on Day 2
"Really good control of the strike zone with power," Svihlik said of Montgomery. "Tremendous kid, tremendous background. We've always liked Torin. ... This year, we took a player in Torin Montgomery who we've always liked that falls under that same profile. And he has really good plate discipline as well, which kind of is a theme for us this year."
• Q&A with Jacob Berry: No. 6 pick talks his path, hitting, more