Montas’s Reds debut proves to be a showcase for the right-handed starting

When Frankie Montas signed a one-year, $16 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds in the summer, he didn’t seem like a sure thing. After making 27 starts for the New York Yankees in the previous season, Montas only made one appearance in the previous campaign. On Opening Day, the right-hand pitcher was fired up and helped the Reds defeat the Washington Nationals 8-2.

“A lot of things come together. “Today marks my 100th career start and my wife and I’s tenth anniversary together,” Frankie Montas said after his six shutout innings in the opening game.Twitter: https://ww9RRf3xnT

— March 28, 2024, Mike Petraglia (@Trags).

For the Reds, Montas pitched six scoreless innings, striking out four and walked none. He was in excellent form. It was his 100th career start.

The pitcher was very limited last year due to surgery he had to have done on his labrum in February 2023. Despite his past history of injuries, he nevertheless had confidence in himself, and the Reds were willing to give him a chance.

All spring long, Montas exuded confidence and made no secret of his desire to have the ball in the team’s most important games. His first outing with the Reds showed that he was not blustery in the mound, and it was a terrific start to his career.

Montas changes his style on the mound for the Reds

He clarified that, given that he is healthy again, he plans to pitch for the young Reds in this manner for the duration of the 2024 season. Montas declared, “This is the healthy version of me.” “All I’m trying to do is have fun with it all.” I want to go out there and not worry about what other people would think of me. I’m simply going to pitch and do my job.

Montas was obviously altering his business practices as he got ready for the season to begin in spring training. Montas was a powerful pitcher with a dominant fastball when he was a member of the Oakland A’s.

It was evident that Montas had to alter his mound approach after undergoing labrum surgery. Although he still had the ability to hurl a fastball, he needed to include his sharp splitter and all of his off-speed pitching to stay healthy and productive.

After the game, Montas was asked if he thought the former Frankie Montas was back in the mound. Could this be the same Frankie Montas as a few years ago? No, Montas replied. “Frankie Montas here for 2024.”

With the Oakland A’s, the pitcher enjoyed his finest campaign in 2021. That season, he started 32 games, went 13-9, and averaged 3.37 earned runs in 187.0 innings pitched. Montas walked 57 batters and struck out 207, a career high. In the American League Cy Young voting, he came in sixth.

Despite being a seasoned pitcher, Frankie Montas, according to fellow starter Nick Rodolo, is still learning and asking questions.

Lodolo remarked, “He really knows how to pitch.” Both he and it have been witnessed by him. In addition, he learns from us and even asks us questions. His statement is absurd. However, he recently said to us that he picks up knowledge from us.