Mike Montgomery Biography
A native of California, Mike Montgomery is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Montgomery was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft.
He made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2015.
Mike Montgomery Age
Montgomery was born on July 1, 1989, in Mission Hills, California. He is 32 years old as of 2021.
Mike Montgomery Career
Kansas City Royals
During the 2008 MLB Draft Montgomery was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the first round, with the 36th selection out of William S. Hart High School in Santa Clarita, California.
In 2012, Montgomery posted a combined record of 5–12 in 27 starts while splitting the season between the Royals’ Double-A and Triple-A clubs.
Later on November 20, 2012, the Royals added him to the 40-man roster in anticipation of the upcoming Rule 5 Draft of Minor League players.
Tampa Bay Rays
Montgomery was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on December 9, 2012, along with Jake Odorizzi, Patrick Leonard, and Wil Myers.
They were traded in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis. He was optioned to AAA on March 11, 2013.
Mike Montgomery Seattle Mariners
Montgomery was on March 31, 2015, traded to the Seattle Mariners for Erasmo Ramírez. After an injury sidelined James Paxton, the Mariners called him up to the majors for the first time on June 2, 2015.
Montgomery started that night against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field, giving up one run, four hits, and walking two while striking out four and leaving after six innings with a 2–1 lead.
On June 23, 2015, he became the first Mariners left-handed pitcher to ever throw a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts and no walks, getting the win against the Kansas City Royals 7–0.
After his first career complete-game shutout, Montgomery pitched his second consecutive shutout on June 30, 2015.
He allowed one hit, a double in the 7th inning, to the San Diego Padres in a 5–0 win. Montgomery is the first Mariners pitcher since Freddy García in 2001 to throw complete-game shutouts in consecutive starts.
Montgomery was sent back down to the Tacoma Rainiers on August 30, 2015. He made the Mariners’ opening day roster in 2016 as a reliever.
Mike Montgomery Chicago Cubs
2016 Season
On July 20, 2016, Mongomery and prospect Jordan Pries the Seattle Mariners traded them to the Chicago Cubs for prospects Dan Vogelbach and Paul Blackburn.
After allowing a three-run home run to the first batter Montgomery faced as a Cub, he performed well during the remainder of the season. He pitched in 17 games (including five starts), with a 2.82 ERA with the Cubs.
In 2016, he had a strong postseason performance, playing an instrumental role in the team’s championship run.
He most notably relieved Carl Edwards Jr. in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game 7 of the World Series.
He eaned his career save, winning the World Series for the Chicago Cubs for the first time in 108 years.
2017 Season
In 2017, Montgomery continued to perform well with 44 appearances (14 starts), and a 3.38 ERA for the season. He had a 7-8 record along with three saves.
He hit his first career home run off Atlanta Braves pitcher R.A. Dickey on July 19.
Montgomery struggled in the 2017 post-season in contrast with his 2016 performance.
Between the division series against the Washington Nationals and the league championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he had five appearances and 4 1⁄3 innings pitched.
He allowed three home runs, finishing with a 16.62 postseason ERA.
2018 Season
During the 2018 season, Montgomery had a 5-6 record with a 3.99 ERA in 124 innings.
2019 Season
He had a 1-2 record with a 5.67 ERA in 27 innings.
Mike Montgomery Return to Kansas City Royals
Trade
It was reported on July 15th, 2019 that Montgomery had been traded back to the Royals, with the Cubs receiving catcher Martín Maldonado in exchange.
Mike Montgomery Contract | Salary
Montgomery signed a 1 year / $2,440,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs, including $2,440,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $2,440,000.
In 2019, he was to earn a base salary of $2,440,000, while carrying a total salary of $2,440,000.