The Red Sox might have hit the Draft jackpot for a second straight year

FORT WORTH, Fla. - The young man in the Red Sox jersey awkwardly wheeled his way down the sidewalk, right leg resting up on a cushion while pushing three heavy-duty wheels through a celebratory crowd.

Most of the attention was on the lights in the sky - courtesy a spectacular drone show forming such sights at the American flag or baseball-themed images. There was also the distraction of all that country music one would expect in the shadow of Cowtown Coliseum.

But some noticed Braden Montgomery. And it wasn't just because of his attire or mode of transporation.

He had earned the attention. Just ask the Red Sox.

This was the guy who just a few hours before was selected with the 12th overall pick in the MLB Draft, somewhat unexpectedly landing with Boston. Most mock drafts had placed the Texas A&M outfielder in the Top 10, but whether because of the broken right ankle suffered in the NCAA Super Regionals or other question marks, Montgomery slipped to the Red Sox.

All the Red Sox knew was that for a second straight year a player who was supposed to be taken dramatically higher than where they were picking had become available. Last July it was catcher Kyle Teel at No. 14. This year the gift came in the form of a power-hitting outfielder from Texas A&M.

"I can’t say my thoughts didn’t roam there," said Montgomery when asked if his ankle injury was the cause for him sliding in the Draft. "I'm just happy I ended up where I ended up because I think it’s all part of a bigger plan. I think it will be a perfect fit for me."

"There are always surprises in this Draft," said Red Sox scouting director Devin Pearson. "That’s the way it works in baseball. We’re really excited he was there for us and make it work. We couldn’t be more fired up to bring him into the organization."

The Red Sox had been following his exploits in Mississippi, where Montgomery won the 2021 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year for both his pitching and hitting. And continued their interest while watching him help Stanford reach the College World Series in each of his two seasons with the Cardinal.

There were also those 32 games with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League last summer which helped the switch-hitter standout.

But it was what he did upon arriving at Texas A&M this past season that cemented his reputation as an outfielder who hit the ball a long way (27 homers) and possessed a rifle arm that once reached 100 mph off the pitching mound.

"Even the Stanford coaches after he left they texted me tonight to say what a remarkable person he is and how happy they are for him," Pearson noted. "When you transfer from a school and that’s still the narrative about that’s a pretty special person."

As for that ankle ...

Montgomery said he will be able to start walking on the injured leg in a couple of weeks, which is good news for those hoping to see his skills - which are based more on power than pure athleticism - come next spring training in Fort Myers, Fla.

And while many predicted the Red Sox would finally be taking a pitcher in the first-round thanks to the admitted need for high-end arms in the farm system, the upside and skill-set from the 21-year SEC First-Team All-Star selection was too good to pass up.

The pitcher would have to wait ... 38 selections later.

That's where the Red Sox swooped in and grabbled Texas Christian hurler Payton Tolle. It was the highest selection of a hurler by Boston since nabbing Tanner Houck in the first-round back in 2017.

Tolle was the 2024 Big 12 Conference Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year, having made the most of his move from Oklahoma State. He struck out 13.83 hitters per nine innings, while using 6-foot-6 frame to his advantage.

All in all, the two picks offer the kind of hope that franchise's bank on coming out of any Draft.