Texas A&M's College World Series hopes took a major blow during the super regional on Saturday.
Braden Montgomery, a likely top-10 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, left in the first inning of the Aggies' super regional against Oregon with an apparent ankle injury. He had to be helped off the field after sliding awkwardly into home plate.
The switch-hitting right fielder has blossomed into a star since transferring from Stanford. He has posted an eye-popping .322/.452/.733 slash line with 27 home runs this year and walked 52 times compared to just 59 strikeouts.
A former two-way prospect with the Cardinal, Montgomery has focused solely on hitting and using his rocket right arm on defense. The result has been his development into a more well-rounded hitter, who has vaulted himself into being considered as high as a possible top-five selection.
Here's the latest on his injury.
MORE: Updated super regional scores, schedule
Braden Montgomery injury update
Montgomery left Saturday's game in the first inning after sliding awkwardly into home plate. He had reached base on a walk and was attempting to score from second on a single by Ted Burton.
Doesn't look great for Texas A&M's Braden Montgomery. He planted his leg awkwardly as he was starting his slide into home pic.twitter.com/XoW44Z82rQ
— Tyler Shaw (@TylerShawSports) June 8, 2024
While running toward home plate, Montgomery appeared to stumble awkwardly on his right ankle, which rolled under his leg as he was beginning a head-first dive toward home. Montgomery tried to stand up after sliding into the plate, but he could not put any weight on his ankle and fell back to the ground. The home-plate umpire called for trainers.
The staff placed an air cast on his right leg and then helped to carry him off the field.
Baseball America reported after the game Montgomery was out for the season with the ankle injury, ending any chance he could return even if the Aggies advanced to the College World Series.
Program 15 Sports' Jeremy Booth reported the injury to Montgomery was a clean break in his ankle, noting he will be expected to return to swinging a bat in a couple of months.
Braden Montgomery MLB draft
Montgomery has been projected as a consensus top-10 prospect.
Here's a look at where different sites have mocked Montgomery to land:
- MLB Pipeline: No. 4 to the Athletics
- Baseball America: No. 9 to the Pirates
- The Athletic: No. 9 to the Pirates
- ESPN: No. 7 to the Cardinals
