"He averaged 99.9 miles per hour with his sinker, 95.4 mph with his cutter and 86.8 mph with his slider. As is often the case with power pitchers, he could get guys out but also put them on first base. He tossed 51 1/3 minor league innings that year with 3.33 earned run average, 34.6% strikeout rate and 49.1% ground ball rate but a massive 16.5% walk rate."
"Unfortunately, those three appearances still make up the entirety of his major league track record to this point, as he's been on a brutal injury odyssey since then. In March of 2023, he underwent elbow surgery. Doctors were planning to simply remove bone chips but discovered during the surgery that the pitcher required Tommy John surgery. He stayed on the injured list through the 2023 season and was outrighted at the end of the campaign."
"He got back on the mound in 2024, making some rehab appearances in June and July. But then he required yet another Tommy John surgery shortly thereafter. Mike Mayer of Metsmerized reported in February of 2025 that the surgery occurred late in 2024. Today, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post relays that the surgery took place in August of that year. Montes de Oca spent 2025 on the minor league injured list and became a free agent at season's end."
The Nationals signed right-hander Bryce Montes de Oca and catcher Tres Barrera to minor-league contracts, with both receiving spring training invites. Montes de Oca debuted in 2022 and showed elite velocity, averaging 99.9 mph on his sinker, plus strong strikeout and ground-ball rates, but he also showed poor control with a 16.5% walk rate. He has missed multiple seasons due to elbow surgery in March 2023 that revealed the need for Tommy John surgery, followed by another Tommy John procedure after brief 2024 rehab appearances. Montes de Oca spent 2025 on the minor league injured list and reached free agency.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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