HS BASE: Hart's Montgomery awaits MLB draft

Just got off the phone with Hart pitcher Michael Montgomery, who has returned home following today's graduation ceremonies.

Tomorrow is a big day for him. The Major League draft. The left-hander's stock has risen and he is expected to be drafted as high as late first round, which could make him a very rich young man if he decides to sign and forego a Cal State Fullerton scholarship.

Incredibly, Montgomery swears he is not nervous, and he even predicted he'll get some sleep tonight.
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"Oh, I'll get plenty of sleep. I'm more excited than nervous," Montgomery said. "I was nervous during the season because I was worrying about performance, but I definitely did all I could."

Montgomery is 6 foot 4 and throws 93 mph with pin-point control, He finished 8-2 with a 1.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts and just 25 walks in 69 innings this past season.

He gave me a dollar figure of what it would take for him to sign, but I don't think it's appropriate to divulge it.

The draft begins at 11 a.m. The plan is to touch base through the day with Montgomery and outfielder Cutter Dykstra of Westlake -- he is the area's other top prospect -- and for their sakes, this would a case of the sooner the better.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com