Kansas City Royals: 2020 rotation prediction pre-Spring Training
By Cody Rickman
Mike Montgomery
- 2019 stats – 4.95 ERA, 1.615 WHIP, 69 Ks, 34 BBs (1 IBB and 4 HBP), with a 5.52 FIP in 91.0 innings worth -0.2 WAR
- 2020 Steamer projection – 4.88 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 103 Ks, 58 BBs (8 HBP), with a 4.95 FIP in 149.0 innings worth 1.1 WAR
Mike Montgomery was acquired from the Cubs in exchange for catcher Martin Maldonado. Montgomery gave the Royals 64.0 innings of 4.64 ERA in 13 starts during his few months with the Royals in 2019. He is nearly a lock to secure a spot in the rotation.
As I noted in my article about Royals pitchers due for a bounce back season, Montgomery’s plus curveball and plus change-up are the main reasons he was considered a top pitching prospect in the Royals system. These off-speed offers have allowed him to groove out a niche as a long reliever in the major leagues for a few different teams and also give him a chance at being a decent starter for Kansas City in 2020.
"With the switch to full-time starter, Montgomery’s fastball clocked in at 91.7 mph average, which was a decrease from his average fastball velocity of 92.6 mph as a reliever. His fastball has some sinking/riding movement to it allowing him to maintain a groundball rate above 50%."
What’s important for Montgomery’s production this year is his ability to mix in his hard slider/cutter, curveball, and change-up in with well-located fastballs. If Mike Montgomery harnesses his mechanics, he could become a trade piece at the trade deadline and possibly bring back prospect pieces for the future.