REPORT: Red Sox signing first-round pick under slot value is another Craig Breslow steal

The Boston Red Sox quietly signed a player after the madness of the MLB trade deadline started.

Braden Montgomery, an outfielder, was selected by Boston in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft on July 30. While the slot for the No. 12 overall pick was $5,484,600, he signed for $5 million.

Montgomery was predicted to go anywhere from the top-10 to the top-choice in the 2024 selection. Experts across the league applauded the Red Sox’s selection, but some were taken aback by how the youthful switch-hitting sensation was selected at pick 12.

The 21-year-old may have fallen out of the top 10 and into Boston’s lap because he fractured his ankle late in his 2024 college season. It is a pleasant surprise, though, that Craig Breslow signed the outfielder for less than slot value.

Despite being fortunate to choose Braden Montgomery at all, the Red Sox signed him for less than his slot value.

Montgomery played three seasons of collegiate baseball, two at Stanford and one at Texas A&M. In those three seasons, he hit.317 with 62 home runs and 203 RBI. A video of the former pitcher, who has an unbelievable arm, taunting a runner at the plate from the outfield went viral shortly after he was selected.

Montgomery was regarded as “the steal of the draft” by baseball writer Keith Law of The Athletic up until that moment. The fact that he signed for less than slot value made the Red Sox extra luckier, but that might have something to do with his ankle ailment. Although his recuperation will keep him out of the Boston system until 2025, Montgomery’s success in college might not be greatly affected by a few months wasted.