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Jordan Montgomery

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Jordan Montgomery
Montgomery with the New York Yankees in 2017
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 52
Pitcher
Born: (1992-12-27) December 27, 1992 (age 31)
Sumter, South Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 12, 2017, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record46–41
Earned run average4.03
Strikeouts788
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Jordan Blackmon Montgomery (born December 27, 1992), nicknamed "Gumby" or "Monty", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers.

Before his professional career, Montgomery played college baseball for the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Yankees selected him in the 2014 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2017. The Yankees traded Montgomery to the Cardinals in 2022, and the Cardinals traded him to the Texas Rangers, where he won his first championship in the 2023 World Series.

Early life

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Jordan Blackmon Montgomery was born on December 27, 1992, in Sumter, South Carolina. He attended Sumter High School where he played for the school's baseball team, being named the state's player of the year as a senior. He also won a high school state championship in 2011 and was later named Pitcher of the Decade in South Carolina by Diamond Prospects[1]

College career

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Montgomery enrolled at the University of South Carolina and played college baseball for the South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team.[2] He was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week on April 9, 2012, and a Freshman All-American.[3] He earned the nickname "Gumby" in college after a senior baseball player used it to make fun of his long limbs and lack of coordination.[4][5]

Professional career

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Draft and minor leagues

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Montgomery with the Tampa Yankees in 2015

The New York Yankees selected Montgomery in the fourth round, with the 122nd overall selection, of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He signed with the Yankees, receiving a $424,000 signing bonus. He pitched for the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and the Staten Island Yankees of the Low–A New York–Penn League, pitching to a 1–1 win–loss record with a 3.79 earned run average (ERA) in 19 innings pitched, as the Yankees limited his workload after the college season.[1] In 2015, he began the season with for the Charleston RiverDogs of the Single–A South Atlantic League.[6][7] The Yankees promoted him to the Tampa Yankees of the High–A Florida State League in June.[8]

Montgomery began the 2016 season with the Trenton Thunder of the Double–A Eastern League[9] and was promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple–A International League in August.[10] He pitched in the Triple-A National Championship Game, earning the win.[11]

Montgomery received a non-roster invitation to spring training in 2017,[12] and competed for a job in their Opening Day starting rotation.[13]

New York Yankees (2017–2022)

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After starting the season at Triple-A for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Yankees promoted Montgomery to the major leagues on April 12, 2017.[14][15] In his major league debut against the Tampa Bay Rays, Montgomery received a no-decision as he allowed three runs (two earned) in 4+2⁄3 innings, striking out seven.[16] On April 17, in his second major league start, Montgomery earned his first major league win against the Chicago White Sox.[17] On June 9 against the Baltimore Orioles, Montgomery pitched a career-high seven innings and struck out a career-high eight batters.[18] Montgomery tied those same career highs in a June 26 start against the White Sox.[19] Prior to the All-Star Break, Montgomery pitched to a 3.65 ERA, striking out 87 batters in 91+1⁄3 innings.[20] On July 25, against the Cincinnati Reds, Montgomery took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Scott Schebler hit a double to break up the bid.[21] On August 6, he was optioned to Triple-A.[22] He was recalled on August 11 after CC Sabathia suffered a knee injury.[23] On August 12, Montgomery was struck in the head by an errant foul ball during batting practice while signing autographs prior to the game;[24] he was not seriously hurt.[25] In 29 starts in 2017, Montgomery finished with a 9–7 record and a 3.88 ERA.[26]

On May 1, 2018, Montgomery left a game against the Houston Astros after one inning due to elbow tightness. He went on the disabled list the next day with a flexor strain and he would miss six to eight weeks.[27] However, on June 5, it was announced that Montgomery tore his ulnar collateral ligament while throwing on flat ground during rehab a few days prior and would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season.[28] In six starts in 2018, Montgomery finished with a 2–0 record and a 3.62 ERA.[29]

Montgomery started the 2019 season on the 60-day injured list while still recovering from the previous season's surgery. He returned to the Yankees on September 15.[30] In 2020, Montgomery pitched to a 5.11 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched, while on defense he led all AL pitchers in errors, with three.[31] In 2021, Montgomery had a 6–7 record and 3.83 ERA in 157+1⁄3 innings.[32][33]

St. Louis Cardinals (2022–2023)

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Montgomery with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022

The Yankees traded Montgomery to the St. Louis Cardinals for Harrison Bader and a player to be named later or cash considerations on August 2, 2022.[34] He made his Cardinal debut on August 6, throwing five scoreless innings before being taken out due to cramping caused by dehydration, versus the Yankees in a 1–0 win for the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.[35] On August 22, 2022, Montgomery pitched his first complete game in the major leagues, a one-hit, 99-pitch Maddux against the Chicago Cubs.[36] He finished the 2022 season with a 9–6 record and a 3.48 ERA in 32 games started.[37] The Cardinals qualified for the 2022 MLB postseason and Montgomery pitched in relief for the Cardinals in Game 2 of the 2022 NL Wild Card Series, as the Philadelphia Phillies swept the Cardinals, two games to none.[38]

On January 13, 2023, Montgomery agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Cardinals, avoiding salary arbitration.[39] He had a 6–9 record and a 3.42 ERA in 21 starts for the Cardinals in 2023.[37]

Texas Rangers (2023)

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On July 30, 2023, the Cardinals traded Montgomery and Chris Stratton to the Texas Rangers in exchange for John King, Tekoah Roby, and Thomas Saggese.[40] He wore uniform number 52 to honor former teammate CC Sabathia.[41] Montgomery started 11 games for the Rangers, pitching to a 2.79 ERA.[42] For the regular season, Montgomery set career-highs with 10 wins, a 3.20 ERA, 166 strikeouts, and 188+2⁄3 innings pitched.[43]

The Rangers made the 2023 MLB postseason and Montgomery started Game 1 of the 2023 American League Wild Card Series.[44] Montgomery earned the win, pitching seven scoreless innings as Texas defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-0.[45] Montgomery also started Game Two of the 2023 American League Division Series; he pitched four innings and did not receive a decision in the Rangers' 11-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.[46] In the 2023 American League Championship Series, Montgomery appeared in three games and earned two victories as the Rangers defeated the Houston Astros, four games to three. He started Game One against Astros starter Justin Verlander and pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings, earning a 2-0 win.[47] Montgomery also started Game Five of the 2023 ALCS; he hurled 5 1/3 innings, gave up two earned runs, and did not receive a decision in the Rangers' 5-4 win.[48] In Game Seven, Montgomery pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and earned the win in the Rangers' series-clinching 11-4 victory.[49]

The Rangers faced the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series. Montgomery started Game Two and took the loss, giving up four earned runs in six innings; the Diamondbacks won the game, 9-1.[50] On November 1, the Rangers won the 2023 World Series, defeating the Diamondbacks four games to one. This was the first World Series championship of Montgomery's career and the first World Series victory in Rangers franchise history.[51] Montgomery had a 2.90 ERA in 31 innings in the postseason.[52]

Arizona Diamondbacks (2024–present)

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On March 29, 2024, two days before Opening Day, Montgomery signed a one-year, $25 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that included a $20 million vesting player option for the 2025 season.[53] Without any spring training action, he was optioned to Triple–A Reno Aces to begin the season. On April 11, Montgomery fired his agent Scott Boras[54] and later stated that Boras "butchered" his free agency.[55]

Montgomery was recalled on April 19 and later made his Diamondback debut that same day against the San Francisco Giants, allowed just one run over six innings.[56] On July 2, Montgomery was placed on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation. He was reinstated on July 23 and allowed one run over five innings against the Kansas City Royals, earning the win.[57] However, following 19 starts where he accumulated a 6.44 ERA over 95 innings pitched, the Diamondbacks announced on August 23 that Montgomery would move to the bullpen.[58] Montgomery finished the 2024 season with a 6.23 ERA in 25 games (21 starts), and Diamondbacks principal owner Ken Kendrick later stated that signing Montgomery was "a horrible decision".[59]

Personal life

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Montgomery has two older brothers.[4] He met his wife, Mckenzie (née Dirr), in 2017 when they were introduced by a teammate of Montgomery's.[60] They married in December 2022.[61] She studied medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina.[62]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Former South Carolina star Jordan Montgomery looking forward to pitching with RiverDogs". Post and Courier. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  2. ^ Kornblut, Phil (July 13, 2010). "Sumter pitcher picks USC". The State. Retrieved May 24, 2015. [permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b "Yankees select USC pitcher Montgomery in fourth round of MLB Draft". WACH FOX. June 6, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2015. [permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b Serby, Steve (April 16, 2017). "Jordan Montgomery on journey to majors and why he's called 'Gumby'". New York Post. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  5. ^ Marchand, Andrew (July 7, 2017). "From Gumby to the next Andy Pettitte? Jordan Montgomery blossoms in Bronx". ESPN. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  6. ^ "Former Gamecock pitcher Jordan Montgomery assigned to Charleston RiverDogs". Post and Courier. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  7. ^ "New York Yankees prospect Jordan Montgomery goes career-high seven innings for Charleston RiverDogs". MiLB.com. May 23, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  8. ^ "Jordan Montgomery almost perfect in Yankees' Tampa affiliate debut". Newsday. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ Franko, Kyle (July 3, 2016). "Jordan Montgomery having All-Star season for Thunder". The Trentonian. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  10. ^ Hennigan, Shane (August 9, 2016). "RailRiders: Montgomery's strong starts don't go unnoticed by RailRiders". The Times-Tribune. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  11. ^ "Montgomery winning pitcher in Triple-A title game". The Sumter Item. September 21, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  12. ^ DiPietro, Lou (March 11, 2017). "Jordan Montgomery is opening eyes in Yankees camp this spring". YES Network. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  13. ^ "What you need to know about Jordan Montgomery, Yankees' starter vs. Rays on Wednesday". The Star-Ledger. April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  14. ^ III, George A. King (April 10, 2017). "Yankees' spring training darling wins 5th-starter job". New York Post. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  15. ^ "What Yankees like about left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who is debuting Wednesday". The Star-Ledger. April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  16. ^ Miller, Randy. "Jordan Montgomery does OK in debut, but Aaron Judge star of Yankees win". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  17. ^ Sherman, Joel (April 17, 2017). "Jordan Montgomery has chance to be something rare for Yankees". New York Post. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  18. ^ "Yankees' Jordan Montgomery, Aaron Hicks down Orioles | Rapid reaction". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  19. ^ "Jordan Montgomery pitches New York Yankees past Chicago White Sox". United Press International. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  20. ^ "Jordan Montgomery » Splits » 2017 » Pitching | FanGraphs Baseball". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  21. ^ "Yankees-Reds: Jordan Montgomery loses no-hitter in 6th inning". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  22. ^ "Montgomery optioned to minors by Yankees". TheBigSpur. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  23. ^ "CC Sabathia to DL; Jordan Montgomery recalled". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  24. ^ "Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery struck in head by ball during batting practice". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  25. ^ "Jordan Montgomery OK after being hit in head during batting practice". Newsday. August 12, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  26. ^ "Ex-Yankees manager expects 'big year' for Jordan Montgomery". March 26, 2021.
  27. ^ "Jordan Montgomery goes on DL with elbow strain". MLB. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  28. ^ Sears, Ethan (June 5, 2018). "Yankees lose Jordan Montgomery to Tommy John surgery". New York Post. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  29. ^ Kuty, Brendan (May 10, 2019). "How Yankees' Jordan Montgomery changed his return timetable". nj.com. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  30. ^ Ackert, Kristie (September 14, 2019). "Jordan Montgomery 'excited' to be back with Yankees, will start vs. Blue Jays on Sunday". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  31. ^ "2020 American League Pitcher". Baseball-Reference.com.
  32. ^ "Yankees' Jordan Montgomery focusing on fastball command over velocity". April 2, 2022.
  33. ^ Tri-City Herald [dead link]
  34. ^ Hoch, Bryan (August 2, 2022). "Bader heads to Yanks from Cards for Monty". MLB.com. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  35. ^ "Montgomery blanks Yankees in Cardinals debut". ESPN. August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  36. ^ Goold, Derrick (August 22, 2022). "Albert Pujols' homer lifts Cardinals lefty Jordan Montgomery to win in one-hitter vs. Cubs". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  37. ^ a b Butler, Alex (July 31, 2023). "Rangers trade for Cardinals pitchers Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton". UPI.com. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  38. ^ Goold, Derrick (October 8, 2022). "End of an era: Phillies shut out, sweep Cardinals and end last run for Molina and Pujols". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  39. ^ McDonald, Darragh (January 13, 2023). "Cardinals, Jordan Montgomery Avoid Arbitration". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  40. ^ Grant, Evan (July 30, 2023). "Texas Rangers acquire Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton from St. Louis Cardinalsatton-report-says/". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  41. ^ Phillips, Gary (October 20, 2023). "CC Sabathia watching closely as 'little brother' Jordan Montgomery shines in October". New York Daily News.
  42. ^ Rosenthal, Ken. "Yankees traded Jordan Montgomery in 2022 to boost playoff push, now only one is in the postseason". The Athletic.
  43. ^ NJ.com, Manny Gómez | NJ Advance Media for (November 28, 2023). "Ex-Yankees pitcher (and free agent target) moves to Boston". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "Rangers defeat Rays in Game 1 of AL Wild Card Series". Dallas News. October 3, 2023.
  45. ^ "Rangers 4-0 Rays (Oct 3, 2023) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  46. ^ "Rangers 11-8 Orioles (Oct 8, 2023) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  47. ^ "Rangers 2-0 Astros (Oct 15, 2023) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  48. ^ "Astros 5-4 Rangers (Oct 20, 2023) Box Score". ESPN. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  49. ^ "Rangers 11-4 Astros (Oct 23, 2023) Box Score". ESPN. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  50. ^ "Diamondbacks 9-1 Rangers (Oct 28, 2023) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  51. ^ Castrovince, Anthony. "Rangers claim 1st World Series title, 52 years in the making". Major League Baseball. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  52. ^ Cotillo, Chris; McAdam, Sean (November 27, 2023). "Why one Red Sox free agent target is now living in Boston, throwing at BC this winter". masslive. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  53. ^ "D-backs ink Montgomery to 1-year deal with player option". MLB.com. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  54. ^ McDaniel, Kiley. "Sources: Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery drops Scott Boras". ESPN. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  55. ^ "D-Backs' Jordan Montgomery says Scott Boras 'kind of butchered' his free-agency negotiations". The Athletic. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  56. ^ Gilbert, Steve. "With plenty of support, Montgomery pitches gem in D-backs debut". MLB.com. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  57. ^ Zinke, Karl. "Jordan Montgomery returns from injured list and pitches Diamondbacks over Royals 6-2". AP News. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  58. ^ D'Agostino, Alex. "D-backs Jordan Montgomery to Move to Bullpen Role". si.com. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  59. ^ Piecoro, Nick. "Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick says he's to blame for Jordan Montgomery signing". azcentral.com. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  60. ^ "Jordan Montgomery's fiancée posts Yankees engagement pics before trade". August 4, 2022.
  61. ^ "Rangers' Pitcher on Being Married to a Doctor: 'She Loves How Dumb I Am'".
  62. ^ "How Jordan Montgomery stays ready for Yankees amid coronavirus uncertainty". April 6, 2020.
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