Blue Jays: Draft Targets Final Edition: Position Players

The MLB Draft is less than a week away as it is set to begin this Sunday at 7pm EST.  With the draft right around the corner, I decided to put out my final Blue Jays draft target piece and highlight some prospects that the Jays could have their eyes on this weekend when they are on the clock at pick number 19.

If you missed the first two position player pieces or any of the three articles on the pitcher’s side, make sure you check them out so you have all the information you need prior to when the pick is made.  With that being said, let’s jump in and take a look at some potential future Blue Jays.

Colson Montgomery SS Southridge (IN) #25 On MLB Pipeline

The 2021 MLB Draft is set to feature a plethora of talented high school shortstops.  Though it is unlikely that the Blue Jays will have the opportunity to select one of the bigger names such as Jordan Lawlar, Marcelo Mayer, or Kahlil Watson, the back half of the first round appears to be littered with other talented prep shortstops, leaving General Manager Ross Atkins with plenty of options if he decides to go in this direction.

Colson Montgomery is one of these prep shortstops and is a name that has flown up draft boards recently due to his advanced approach at the plate, and his power potential.

Montgomery is one of the most advanced prep hitters in this year’s class.  The Indiana native has a sweet left-handed swing, with the ability to hit to all parts of the field.  Montgomery’s approach at the dish is beyond his years.  He never gets too big and is willing to take what the pitcher gives him, which is rare to see at the high school level.  Combining his advanced approach with his excellent bat-to-ball skills has left most evaluators believing that Montgomery has the tools to hit for a high average once he turns pro.

Along with his approach and compact swing, Montgomery has great gap power, with the ability to consistently drive the ball to both left-center and right-center fields.  The Indiana commit isn’t viewed as a long ball threat at this point in his development, but scouts believe that once he matures and grows into his 6’4’ frame, the doubles he’s hitting now will start turning into home runs thanks to his quick hands and compact stroke.

The offensive upside is real but Montgomery does have some drawbacks, primarily on the defensive side of the ball.  The Southridge product is listed as a shortstop, but will more than likely outgrow the position down the road as he currently stands at 6’4” and weighs in at 190 lbs, with plenty of room to add onto his frame.  While a move to third base would suit Montgomery’s stature, he’s received below-average arm grades from multiple scouts and could struggle with the transition to the hot corner because of this.

Evaluators are torn on where they believe Montgomery will play once he turns pro.  Some think that he has the tools to stick at shortstop despite his size and develop into a player like Corey Seager, who has been able to become an everyday shortstop despite being a bit oversized for the position.  Others think that a move to the outfield may be in store, where Montgomery would be a below-average defender due to his lack of speed and would have to rely solely on his bat to bring value to a ball club.

Along with the question marks surrounding Montgomery’s future position, the high-schooler is also one of the older prep players in this year’s class, turning 20 next February.  This isn’t a huge concern for me, but some teams do value age when selecting a prospect and may feel more comfortable drafting someone who just turned 18 rather than a player who is already 19 and a half.

Colson Montgomery is going to hit at the next level.  If Atkins believes enough in the offensive upside and is willing to overlook the positional and age concerns, then the Indiana native could be a super intriguing, and high upside selection.  Montgomery would add a left-handed bat to an organization that lacks talent from that side of the dish and would become one of the higher-ranked offensive players in the Blue Jays system as a whole right away.