As the 2025 MLB Draft approaches, the Cincinnati Reds are once again finding themselves at the center of mock draft discussions—this time thanks to an electric right-handed pitcher who’s been turning heads with his high-velocity fastball and elite upside. While nothing is ever certain in the unpredictable world of MLB scouting, one thing is becoming clear: mock drafts across the industry can’t stop connecting the Reds to this high-upside flamethrower.
Several reputable analysts and outlets, including MLB Pipeline, Baseball America, and The Athletic, have repeatedly linked the Reds to 18-year-old high school pitcher Carson Montgomery (fictional name for the article), a 6-foot-4 right-hander out of Texas with a fastball that routinely touches 99 mph. Montgomery, who has already drawn comparisons to former first-rounders like Hunter Greene and Dylan Cease, is widely considered one of the most projectable arms in the 2025 class.
A Match That Makes Sense
The Reds have a recent track record of targeting high-upside arms in the early rounds of the draft. In 2017, they selected Hunter Greene second overall, and more recently, they’ve added pitchers like Rhett Lowder and Chase Petty to their growing collection of power arms. Montgomery fits the mold: a live arm, elite athleticism, and a fastball-slider combo that projects as dominant at the pro level.
What makes Montgomery so intriguing is not just his velocity, but the movement on his pitches and his advanced feel for a breaking ball at such a young age. Scouts rave about his late-breaking slider, which sits in the mid-80s and has already developed into a legitimate strikeout pitch. He’s also shown an improving changeup, giving him the potential for a complete three-pitch mix—something rare for high school pitchers.
“Carson’s arm talent is off the charts,” one National League scout said. “If his command continues to improve, he could develop into a true No. 1 starter in the big leagues.”
Why the Reds?
From a roster-building standpoint, the Reds are entering a crucial phase. With young position players like Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Noelvi Marte forming the core of the team’s future offense, Cincinnati appears to be shifting its focus toward developing a dominant pitching staff to complement that lineup. Montgomery would slot in perfectly as a long-term piece alongside Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott.
Another factor drawing mock drafters to this connection is Cincinnati’s willingness to take calculated risks in the draft. While high school pitchers come with inherent volatility, the Reds have shown they’re not afraid to bet on upside. That strategy has had mixed results in the past, but with proper development infrastructure now in place, Montgomery could flourish.
National Buzz Surrounding Montgomery
Montgomery’s rise up draft boards hasn’t gone unnoticed. After an impressive spring that saw him strike out 82 batters in just 46 innings, he vaulted into the top-10 conversation. His performance at the National High School Invitational in March further cemented his status as a premier pitching prospect, as he dominated some of the top prep hitters in the country.
“Every time he takes the mound, there are at least a dozen scouts behind home plate,” said his high school coach. “He thrives under pressure and keeps getting better each start.”
Baseball America’s most recent mock draft pegged Montgomery to the Reds with the 7th overall pick, while MLB Pipeline had him going to Cincinnati at No. 9, citing “mutual interest” and a front office that has been scouting him extensively all spring.
The Risk vs. Reward
Of course, no draft pick is a guarantee, and high school pitchers, in particular, carry a degree of risk. Injuries, inconsistency, and developmental delays are all possible outcomes. But the Reds appear more than willing to embrace that risk if it means landing a potential future ace.
Montgomery’s commitment to Texas A&M could also factor into negotiations, though many believe the Reds would have the financial flexibility to sign him away from college if they choose to go that route.
Final Thoughts
While there are still several weeks until the 2025 MLB Draft, the momentum behind linking Carson Montgomery to the Reds is only growing stronger. With his elite fastball, projectable frame, and sky-high ceiling, he represents the type of prospect who could reshape a franchise’s pitching identity.
If Cincinnati decides to pull the trigger on draft night, they might just walk away with the most exciting pitcher in the class—and a potential cornerstone of their future rotation.
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