Pirates’ Next Closer? Lefty Montgomery Unleashes “Electric” Heat
Mason Montgomery: From Wild Starter to Pirates’ Ice-Cold Closer
ELI5 Alert: This article explains baseball like you’re 5 years old. If you know baseball, you’ll still enjoy the story. If you don’t, you’ll understand every word.
Who Is Mason Montgomery?
Imagine a kid from Texas who loves throwing a baseball really, really fast. That’s Mason Montgomery. He’s 26 years old, 6-foot-2, and throws left-handed (which is rare and valuable in baseball).
But here’s the twist: He didn’t start out as the guy who finishes games. He used to be a starter — the pitcher who begins the game and tries to go 5+ innings. Now? He’s the closer — the pitcher who comes in for the final, most stressful 3 outs when his team is winning.
The "Wait, He Throws HOW Fast?" Moment
Brandon Lowe’s Discovery
In 2024, Brandon Lowe (a teammate) saw Montgomery pitching at Triple-A Durham (one step below the majors). Lowe remembers:
- Montgomery was a starter
- He had a mid-90s fastball (that’s 94-96 mph — already fast!)
- But something changed when he moved to the bullpen (where relievers warm up)
The Transformation
When Montgomery debuted for the Tampa Bay Rays in September 2024:
- He was suddenly hitting 100+ mph (that’s "triple digits" — elite territory)
- Lowe’s reaction: "I’m pretty sure this kid was a starter when I saw him last!"
Important Point: Moving from starter to reliever often adds velocity. Starters pace themselves; relievers can empty the tank for 1-2 innings.
The Secret Sauce: It’s Not Just Speed
Lowe breaks down why Montgomery is special:
| What He Has | Why It Matters (ELI5) |
|---|---|
| 101 mph fastball | Batters barely see it |
| 18 inches of vertical break | The ball "rises" (actually drops less than expected) — messes with hitters’ eyes |
| Curveball & slider developed | He didn’t just rely on speed; he learned off-speed pitches to keep hitters guessing |
| Smart pitch sequencing | He "pitches off his pitches" — sets up one pitch with another, like a chess player |
Key Quote from Lowe: "He’s not just up there throwing. He’s pitching off of his pitches. That’s leading to the success… And having 101 in the tank doesn’t hurt."
The Elephant in the Room: Control Issues
When the Pirates acquired Montgomery (in a 3-team trade with Lowe and Jake Mangum), there was a red flag:
Mangum: "He didn’t have command. He couldn’t throw it where he wanted to."
Translation: He threw hard but couldn’t consistently hit the catcher’s glove. In baseball, that’s dangerous — walks lead to runs.
The Turning Point: August 14 vs. Boston Red Sox
The Scene: 9th inning, 4-run lead, bases loaded, 2 outs. Best hitter (Adley Rutschman, former #1 draft pick) at the plate.
What Montgomery Did:
- Threw 5 consecutive sinkers at 98-100 mph
- Fell behind 3-2 (full count — maximum pressure)
- Unleashed a curveball → Strikeout! Game over.
Manager Don Kelly: "Throwing a breaking ball on a 3-2 count… that was elite."
Important Point: Most pitchers in that spot throw a fastball and hope. Montgomery trusted his best pitch in that moment — the curveball. That takes guts and brains.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Since Becoming Closer (July 11+)
| Stat | Number | What It Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 3-0 | Never lost |
| ERA | 1.26 | Allows ~1 run every 7 innings (amazing) |
| Saves | 5 | Finished 5 wins |
| Strikeouts | 29 in 14⅓ innings | ~2 per inning — batters can’t touch him |
| Walks | 5 (2 intentional) | Only 3 real walks — control fixed! |
| Innings | 14⅓ over 15 games | Used often, stays fresh |
What the Veterans Say: "I’ve Never Seen This"
Luke Weaver (All-Star reliever):
"Watching him pitch is quite impressive… If you’ve never met and talked to him then blinked your eyes and watched him in a game, you’d be like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ It’s not every day people are doing that, just blowing cheese from the left-hand side."
Translation: "Blowing cheese" = throwing absolute heat. Lefties throwing 100+ are unicorns.
The Perfect Closer Personality: "The Ship’s Not Rocking"
In the Clubhouse
- Jokes around, keeps it loose
- Teammates love him
- New walk-out song: Avery Anna’s cover of Ozzy’s "No More Tears" (suggested by catcher Henry Davis)
On the Mound (9th Inning)
- Zero emotion
- Doesn’t smile, doesn’t scream
- Just locks in
Lowe: "Usually when you see those kind of guys, they’re psychotic or screaming; he’s very even-keeled. The ship’s not rocking in any direction."
Important Point: The 9th inning is the most pressure-packed moment in baseball. Montgomery treats it like any other inning. That’s a superpower.
The "Electric" Stuff: By the Numbers (Baseball Savant)
Montgomery ranks in the 94th percentile or higher (top 6% of all pitchers) in:
| Metric | His Number | Why It’s Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Fastball Velocity | 98.5 mph | Lefties rarely hit 98+ |
| Strikeout Rate | 39% | ~4 of 10 batters strike out |
| Whiff Rate | 32.9% | Batters swing and miss 1/3 of the time |
| Expected ERA | 2.52 | His "true" skill level, removing luck |
| Expected Batting Avg Against | .183 | Hitters hit like a bad Little Leaguer |
| Ground Ball % | 56.1% | Gets easy outs, avoids home runs |
His Arsenal (The Pitches He Throws)
- Four-seam fastball (100+ mph) — Putaway pitch (ends at-bats)
- Sinker (98-100 mph) — .105 batting average against, 38% whiff rate (insane for a sinker)
- Slider — Moves sideways, confuses righties
- Curveball — Drops off a table, used in biggest moments
- Changeup — Rare, keeps hitters honest
The Fix: How He Solved His Control Problem
Last year: 5.3 walks per 9 innings (bad)
This year: 3.8 walks per 9 innings (good)
Montgomery’s Simple Secret:
"I feel like I’ve done a good job of picking a spot and throwing 100% effort towards that spot… I found consistency in picking my spot, whether it’s a heater up or heater in, and dialing into that, then trying to execute with conviction."
ELI5 Translation: Instead of "throw as hard as possible and hope," he now picks a tiny target, commits to it, and fires with full confidence.
The "Bases Loaded, No Outs" Test: July 5 at Washington
Situation: 5th inning, 1-run lead, bases loaded, NO outs. Nightmare scenario.
What Montgomery Did:
- Gave up 1 run on a sacrifice fly (acceptable — runner scores, but 1 out recorded)
- Struck out Daylen Lile
- Got Dylan Crews to fly out
Result: 1 run allowed, 2 outs, inning over. Team won 11-5.
Manager Kelly: "He’s an elite teammate… anywhere from first, fifth, ninth, extra innings, he’s been ready, willing, able to do anything."
Ninth Inning Dominance: Where He Shines Brightest
| Stat in 9th Inning | Number |
|---|---|
| ERA | 1.74 |
| Innings | 10⅓ over 11 games |
| Strikeouts | 21 |
| Walks | 3 |
| Batting Avg Against | .162 |
| OPS Against | .468 (microscopic) |
Montgomery’s Philosophy:
"I’d say I just try to treat it the same… The key for me is keeping it the same. If I were to make it a bigger deal than it is, maybe I’d change something subconsciously so I try to mimic each outing as the same."
The Latest Escape Act: vs. Detroit Tigers (Walk-Off Win)
Situation: 9th inning, 4-3 lead, runners on 2nd & 3rd, 0 outs (after 2 singles).
Montgomery’s Response:
- Strikeout on 100.2 mph sinker
- Touched 100+ mph three times
- Groundout to end game
Catcher Rafael Flores Jr.: "A lefty throwing absolute noise — a 100 four-seam, a 100 sinker. Good luck. That’s what I’m going to say to the hitters: good luck."
Summary: Why This Story Matters
- Rare Talent: Lefties throwing 100+ mph with movement are baseball gold
- Fixed His Flaw: Turned "wild thrower" into "surgical assassin"
- Perfect Closer Mindset: Calm in chaos, same routine every time
- Team-First Guy: Takes any inning, any role, no ego
- Pirates’ Unexpected Ace: Beat out 3 former All-Star closers (Doval, Yates, Weaver) for the 9th inning job
Bottom Line: Mason Montgomery isn’t just a hard thrower. He’s a complete pitcher with elite stuff, improved command, and the mental steel to own the hardest job in baseball.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What’s the difference between a starter and a reliever/closer?
Starter: Begins game, tries to pitch 5-7 innings, paces himself, throws 90-100 pitches.
Reliever: Enters mid-game, pitches 1-2 innings, throws max effort every pitch.
Closer: Special reliever for the 9th inning when winning — highest pressure, final 3 outs.
Why is a lefty throwing 100 mph so rare?
Most 100+ mph pitchers are right-handed. Lefties with that velocity are unicorns because:
- Hitters see fewer lefties (less practice)
- The angle from left side is different/uncomfortable
- Only a handful exist in MLB history
What is a "sinker" and why is Montgomery’s so good?
A sinker is a fastball that drops (sinks) as it reaches the plate. Most sinkers are 90-95 mph. Montgomery’s is 98-100 mph with late movement — hitters swing over it (whiff) or hit weak grounders (.105 average).
What does "command" mean vs. "control"?
- Control = Throwing strikes (not walking batters)
- Command = Hitting specific spots in the strike zone (corners, knees, up)
Montgomery improved both, but command is what makes him elite — he puts pitches exactly where hitters can’t hurt him.
Why is the 9th inning so much harder than other innings?
- Game ends if you do your job — no tomorrow to fix mistakes
- Best hitters usually bat (teams stack lineup for late innings)
- Every pitch is magnified — one bad pitch = blown save
- Crowd noise, TV audience, history — mental pressure is unique
Montgomery’s "even-keeled" nature neutralizes all of this.
Final Thought: Baseball loves a "velo jump" story. But Mason Montgomery’s real story? A thinker who throws 100. He didn’t just get stronger — he got smarter. And that’s why the ship isn’t rocking.