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Missouri Tigers: Five Baseball Players Heading to Major League Baseball

By Jesse Holt

Aug 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A general view of the MLB logo with Colorado Rockies batting gear on it during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Colorado Rockies won 12-9. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A general view of the MLB logo with Colorado Rockies batting gear on it during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Colorado Rockies won 12-9. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Missouri pitcher Bryce Montes De Oca may be calling Nationals Park his new home. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)
Missouri pitcher Bryce Montes De Oca may be calling Nationals Park his new home. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images) /

Missouri Pitching Has a Strong Draft Presence

In addition to Houck, Missouri also saw two other pitchers drafted in 2017. Bryce Montes De Oca was chosen in the 15th round by the Washington Nationals at 463rd overall and Cole Bartlett goes to the D-Backs in the 25th round.

Starting with Montes De Oca, there is talk that he will return to Columbia for another season at Mizzou. I feel this would be a great move as 2017 was his first as a starter at Missouri after redshirting last season due to injury. In 2017, Montes De Oca held batters to an average of .205 and finished the year with a 4.28 ERA.

Scouting reports from the Columbia Missourian show Bryce Montes de Oca can be a lights out pitcher at times but also suffers from a lack of consistency.

I feel it’s important to note that Montes De Oca was drafted out of high school in 2014 by the White Sox in the 14th round. Seeing that his draft stock dropped this year after missing his sophomore season due to injury, he may find it prudent to stay for one more season.

As for Bartlett, his Missouri career was marked by an impressive tenure in the bullpen as well as spot starts for the Tigers when necessary. I feel like it would behoove him to stay in school for one more season as he would likely win a slot in the rotation. If he chooses to go pro, expect his ceiling to be in the bullpen rather than the rotation.

This past season, Bartlett made appearances in 19 games with 5 starts for the Missouri Tigers achieving a 3.19 ERA. In addition, after his complete game, Bartlett was awarded SEC Pitcher of the Week, as well as two other National Pitcher of the Week awards.

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