It truly is amazing to see all of these new names, these talented rookies, coming into the Major Leagues and performing at a high level right away. It seems like I hear about a new one in the news every day. Whether it’s Noah Syndergaard, Chris Heston, Steven Matz, Chi-Chi Gonzalez, Robbie Ray, Eduardo Rodriguez, the list goes on an on with talented pitchers.
Welcome to the show, Seattle Mariners’ rookie starting pitcher Mike Montgomery. This kid has flown under the radar since he’s been with Seattle, but after his last two starts, one being a complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals, and this most recent one being a complete game one hitter against the San Diego Padres, I can’t help but take notice. He gave up just 5 hits and struck out 10 against the Royals in an impressive start and then followed that up with seven strikeouts in his one hitter in San Diego. The Royals were recently voted as the new favorites to win the World Series this year and the Padres got a lot more respectable with their revamped lineup. These were not easy assignments for the 25 year old left hander.
Unbelievable. Rookies are supposed to struggle when they first come into the Major Leagues? Don’t tell these guys that. The amount of young pitchers flourishing as quickly as they are is astonishing to me. It’s almost looking too easy. These are major league lineups filled with major league caliber hitters we are talking about here. The talent that these teams are pulling out of their arsenal is impressive and refreshing because they are finally starting to figure out that great pitching and defense is what wins World Series’ and a lot of them are building their teams through that.
Montgomery is now 3-2 with an earned run average of 1.62, has struck out 29 and walked 12 in 44 and a third innings in his first 6 major league starts.
