Why did Braden Montgomery transfer to Texas A&M? Exploring the potential reasons behind the pitcher's transfer portal decision in 2023 

Braden Montgomery spent the first two years of his collegiate baseball career with Stanford. However, before the home run-getter's third and final collegiate season, he transferred to Texas A&M.

Here's a closer look to find out what made Montgomery take his talents to the Aggies.

What made Braden Montgomery join Texas A&M Aggies?

According to the Austin American-Statesman, Braden Montgomery had two major reasons for switching from Stanford to Texas A&M.

First, he needed to get closer to his longtime hitting coach, Jeremy Isenhower, who resides in the nearby Houston area. Montgomery knew that his game had some flaws, and he didn't want such flaws to affect his stock heading into the 2024 MLB draft. That seemed to have worked, as Montgomery took his batting game to never-before-seen heights in his sole season with the Aggies.

The second reason for switching programs was his desire to compete against the best in the SEC. He vindicated his decision by guiding the Aggies to a stellar regular season that led to an eventual College World Series title game run. Unfortunately, Montgomery suffered an injury early in the playoffs, prematurely ended his season with the Aggies.

Is Braden Montgomery a top 10 pick in the 2024 MLB draft?

Yes, Braden Montgomery will likely be a top 10 pick in this year's draft. In fact, ESPN has him on their board as a No. 6 prospect, while MLB Pipeline puts him as their No. 4 prospect heading into this month's draft.

Montgomery's penchant for improvement has won over scouts, and his unique ability on the ball is also something to keep an eye on. Montgomery put up a stat line of .322 batting average with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs in his sole season in Texas A&M. That represented a notable jump from the .336 batting average with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs that he put up in his last season at Stanford.

ESPN and other baseball outlets admire Montgomery's switch-hitter profile, which includes natural strength and a brisk stroke from both sides of the plate. Coaches will still have to teach him to avoid rookie mistakes on the field, but once that's done, a team could have a perennial All-Star for the future.

Which team do you think should draft Braden Montgomery? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.