Yankees prospect comes from out of nowhere into Opening Day picture
LAKELAND, Fla. — Joe Girardi said he was “really curious” about Jordan Montgomery on Friday thanks to the lefty’s size, mentality and success in the minors a year ago.
Then, the 6-foot-6 Montgomery went out and threw four perfect innings against the Tigers in a 3-0 victory at Joker Marchant Stadium to finish up a combined no-hitter.
The big 24-year-old impressed at Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and while a return trip to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre seems likely, neither the team nor Montgomery has ruled out a call-up to The Bronx in 2017.
It may come sooner than anyone anticipated. Girardi didn’t discard the notion Montgomery could make the Opening Day roster as a reliever.
“I’m sure his name is gonna come up,” the manager said. “It’s not totally out of the question. … I think as more of a bullpen guy, but I’m open to anything.”
Montgomery’s future remains as a starter, but the Yankees have uncertainty throughout their pitching staff. Still, Girardi mentioned the possibility Montgomery’s next appearance could be a start in a big league game.
While others, including top prospect James Kaprielian, have seen their time on the major league side come to an end, Montgomery has stayed on.
“With a lot of young players, when they clear hurdles, you give them more to see how they handle that and keep expanding their role,” Girardi said.
“That makes me feel I’m here for a reason and that they want me here,” Montgomery said. “I keep trying to get better.”
Montgomery made 19 starts with Trenton and six with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season. With Luis Severino, Bryan Mitchell, Chad Green and Adam Warren battling for the final two spots in the rotation, Montgomery seems ticketed for the minors, but all of those candidates have questions surrounding them.
So do the three veterans — Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda — already in place.
“We had a lot of beliefs in him when he got here to spring training,” Girardi said. “We know he’s fairly young in his development process, but I think he’s pretty mature for the amount of time he’s been in the minor leagues.”