Video: Trevor Brown - San Francisco Giants
See a slideshow of another future MLB player from the 2008 Hart High team.An already historic season for the
Hart (Newhall, Calif.) baseball program has gotten even better with two former Indians, Trevor Bauer and Mike Montgomery, squaring off as opposing players in the World Series.
The 2016 Major League Baseball season has been a proud one for the Hart program, coached by James Ozella, as six former players have reached the Major Leagues this year, including the two in the World Series.
Trevor Bauer, a starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, is in his fifth season in the league, his fourth with the Tribe. Meanwhile, Cubs middle reliever Mike Montgomery is in his second season in the league and has been with the Cubs since July 20 when he was traded from the Mariners.
For Ozella, who has coached at Hart since 2000 and had Bauer and Montgomery on his 2007 and 2008 teams, the World Series has been a proud moment.
Trevor Bauer, Hart
File photo by Larry Gasinski
"These are very exciting times at Hart with both players in the World Series and overall six players in Major League Baseball this past season," he said. "Those players should be proud of their accomplishments, and our program is extremely honored for all the attention. The real compliment goes to the players for their dedication and determination in achieving their lifetime goals."
According to Ozella, both Bauer and Montgomery were very advanced in their development, as they both pitched varsity as sophomores and continued to improve their velocity and command throughout their high school careers.
"Trevor was an outstanding student-athlete who left high school early for his entrance into UCLA," said Ozella. "He was dedicated to his craft, and really a pitcher whose knowledge and training methods were highly advanced and really ahead of his time.
"Mike showed continual development, and growth with his skills and talents," Ozella continued. "He was a very athletic and tall player, and it seems that he is reaching the prime of his career after years of challenge. He was a total team player his senior year in which scouts enveloped him for every start since he was a first-round draft choice."
Mike Montgomery, Hart
File photo by Robert Curtis
Bauer and Montgomery had their best seasons in 2008. Bauer went 12-0 with 106 strikeouts and just 15 walks with a 0.79 ERA in 70.2 innings pitched. Meanwhile, Montgomery was 8-2 with a 1.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 69.1 innings pitched. The team had an amazing four future MLB players that year, with Giants catcher Trevor Brown and Rockies infielder Pat Valaika also on the roster.
Bauer was named to the MaxPreps California All-State Team and the MaxPreps Junior All-American Team while Montgomery, who was a year ahead of Bauer in school, was chosen with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2008 draft by the Kansas City Royals.
"The 2008 team was a high achieving, very educated team (CIF Southern Section Academic Award winner) that challenged each other on a daily basis in all kinds of ways, and both of these guys were contributors to the success of the team," said Ozella.
While Ozella said he is not necessarily rooting for either team in the World Series, he is rooting for both of his former players.
"I am rooting for both guys to have successful outings in the series. I wish them the best on their seasons and the continued development of their careers."
