MLB Draft: Colorado Rockies select HS outfielder Benny Montgomery as eighth overall pick
On Sunday evening, the Colorado Rockies selected high school outfielder Benny Montgomery as the eighth overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. The draft is being held at the Bellco Theatre in Denver, Colorado, which is about a mile and a half away from Coors Field.
Montgomery, 18, is from Red Land High School in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, which is a suburb of Harrisburg, PA.
Per MLB.com, he was ranked as their #15 overall prospect entering the draft. The right-handed hitting and throwing outfielder looks like this, with a 20-80 scouting scale.
- Hit: 45
- Run: 70
- Field: 60
- Power: 55
- Arm: 60
- Overall: 55
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Montgomery is a commit to the University of Virginia. He grew up a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and his favorite player growing up was second baseman Chase Utley and Montgomery is 6’4” and 200 pounds.
He was also named the 2021 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year
Former Colorado Rockies general manager and current MLBN analyst Dan O’Dowd and his colleague Harold Reynolds believe that the comps for Montgomery are former Phillies and Giants outfielder Hunter Pence and former Phillies and Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth.
MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo predicted that the Rockies would draft him and, just moments ago on MLB Network, he said that he “loves” the pick for the Rockies.
You can check out some video of Montgomery here.
The Rockies will likely look to sign Montgomery under slot value so that they can have some more wiggle room with their other picks.
We will hear from Montgomery and Colorado Rockies interim general manager Bill Schmidt later tonight with their thoughts and we will have their thoughts on the site tomorrow morning.
We will also have continuing coverage of the MLB All-Star Game festivities with the Home Run Derby on Monday and the MLB All-Star Game at Coors Field on Tuesday so make sure to stay tuned to the site, our Twitter page, and with our podcast, as we will have some interviews on there from the festivities as well.