‘Grade-A human’ Montas shines in Reds spring debut

Frankie Montas strikes out a pair in spring debut

MESA, Arizona After pitching two flawless innings against the Cubs on Tuesday, Frankie Montas concluded his Reds spring training debut and expressed happiness, excitement, and satisfaction. Montas had all the positive emotions you could possibly imagine.

Those good feelings had been hard to come by in previous seasons due to an injury to the right shoulder.

It has been a while, Montas remarked. “I was pitching in Spring Training when I suppose this was two years ago. I’m excited to get back on the mound. That makes me happy and feel fortunate.”

Frankie Montas, Connor Phillips talk spring debuts

After agreeing to a one-year, $16 million deal on January 2, Montas pitched 27 pitches and recorded two strikeouts as the Reds and Cubs tied 6-6 at Sloan Park.

Montas used a splitter, cutter, slider, two-seam fastball, and four-seam fastball among his five offerings as he faced six batters. His average speed was mostly between 94 and 96 mph, but in the bottom of the second inning, he twice reached a peak speed of 97 mph.

Montas remarked, “I was happy about that,” in reference to seeing 97 mph on the radar screen at Sloan Park. “I was able to keep up my velocity even in the second inning. That seems like the best part to me.”

Ian Happ, Montas’s first opponent to bat in the game, struck out while facing an 86 mph splitter. After two batters, a fastball accelerating to 96 mph struck out Christopher Morel for the third strike.

There are ten starting pitchers in the Reds’ camp vying for a spot in the rotation, but Montas is almost a lock to be one of the five starters assuming he stays healthy.

Reds manager David Bell stated, “He came in ready, almost to the point that he looks ready to go for the season.” “He wants to demonstrate his abilities and maintain his health.”

Naturally, Montas takes great care of his health, and he will need to continue accruing innings before mounting the mound during the regular season.

Frankie Montas on his Reds deal

Montas had shoulder problems starting in late 2022, following his trade deadline move to New York by the A’s. In 19 starts prior to the trade, Montas had a 3.18 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Before being placed on the injured list due to discomfort in his right shoulder, he had a 6.35 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in eight starts for the Yankees.

Every indication from the Reds camp points to Montas being completely recovered and having a lot of octane in his pitches. His 2021 form, which saw him go 13-9 with a 3.37 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 207 strikeouts in 32 starts and 187 innings, appears to be returning.
Following an arthroscopic procedure on his right shoulder during his Yankees tenure a year prior, Montas was limited to one and a half innings of relief work in September. That was his season all in one.

After being traded by the A’s to the New York team during the trade deadline in 2022, Montas began to experience shoulder issues. Prior to the deal, Montas had a 3.18 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 19 starts. He made eight starts for the Yankees and finished with a 6.35 ERA and 1.54 WHIP before being placed on the injured list because of right shoulder discomfort.

The Reds camp is indicating that Montas is fully recovered and that his pitches have a lot of octane. It looks like he’s getting back to his 2021 form, when he went 13-9 in 32 starts and 187 innings with a 3.37 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 207 strikeouts.

Frankie Montas signs with Reds

Catcher Luke Maile stated, “If anything, he looks better.” “So far, he’s thrown some really amazing fastballs. He had always had a good sense of command over the strike zone. However, it’s encouraging that he has been taking a backseat and letting things go frequently and early in the camp. It indicates that he is content.

Before confronting opposition once more, Montas has already succeeded in Cincinnati in blending in with a pitching staff and clubhouse that is rather youthful. Being in Arizona in the off-season, he arrived at the team complex one month ahead of schedule to conduct bullpen workouts.

“I’ve been witnessing a lot of his live BPs and bullpens. Tyler Stephenson, the catcher, commented, “He looks great.” “He’s an amazing guy and a grade-A human.”

Frankie Montas K’s six

Montas was a member of the Reds’ winter caravan that traveled in late January. He was well-liked by staff, players, and fans alike.

Montas, who turns 31 on March 21, has been well-liked by players of all ages at the team facilities, both inside and outside the clubhouse.

“He’s been a very strong leader so far,” pitching coach Derek Johnson remarked. “He has spent a lot of time down here. The younger players appear to be drawn to him. He has so assumed a leading position there. There is definitely something about him.”

Frankie Montas strikes out six

Montas is not looking for or politicking for a position of leadership. However, it adds value for a Reds team hoping to have enough reliable starters to get them into the postseason.

“I simply try to be who I am. I am that,” Montas declared. “I enjoy what I do very much. I’m making every effort to support my team. I’m also benefiting the squad when I pitch or assist someone in improving.”

Mark Sheldon covered the Twins from 2001 to 2005 before moving on to cover the Reds for MLB.com in 2006. Adhere to his Facebook page.