If the Colorado Rockies are going to get back into contention, they need a number of their top prospects to pan out at the major league level. But one of those potential options has now hung up his cleats.
Outfielder Benny Montgomery has officially retired, via Eli Whitney of Blake Street Banter. He ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect in the organization in 2025, via MLB Pipeline. In 2022, Montgomery ranked as the third-best prospect in the organization.
Despite those lofty expectations, the outfielder never received a call up to the major leagues. He played 323 games at the minor league level, hitting .249 with 29 home runs, 169 RBIs and 41 stolen bases. His final season lasted 41 games at the Double-A level, where Montgomery hit .203 with seven homeruns and 22 RBIs.
The now former outfielder had plenty of flashes of brilliance throughout his run. Over 109 games at the High-A level in 2023, Montgomery hit .251 with 10 home runs, 51 RBIs and 18 stolen bases – all career-highs. Unfortunately for him, injuries took a major bite of his career and he never managed to live up to those heights.
His claim to fame will be going eighth overall in the 2021 MLB Draft. While hindsight is 20/20, current standouts like Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers (15th) and Matt McLain of the Cincinnati Reds (17th) were available. If you’re getting truly hypothetical, San Diego Padres All-Star outfielder Jackson Merrill was available until pick 27.
All the Rockies can do though is worry about their own prospects. Following his retirement decision though, that mix will no longer include Montgomery.
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