Frankie Montas Bio
Francelis Montas Luna, born on March 21, 1993, is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. A right-handed thrower, Montas has spent a decade in Major League Baseball, building a career as a hard-throwing starter whose fastball regularly sits in the high 90s. He is currently a free agent after a 2025 season cut short by injury.
Over the course of his career, Montas has played for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets. Signed as an international free agent in 2009, he made his major league debut in 2015 and went on to establish himself as a frontline starter during a productive run with the Athletics.
Early Life and Background
Francelis Montas Luna was born in the Dominican Republic on March 21, 1993. Growing up in a country with a deep baseball tradition, he was drawn to the sport at a young age and developed his arm strength through informal local play. His raw physical tools quickly became apparent to scouts in the region.
Montas completed his high school education well into his professional career, graduating from Dawere International High School in 2024. He has spoken about the importance of finishing his studies even while navigating the demands of a major league schedule, a reflection of his long-term focus beyond the baseball field.
Path to Professional Baseball
Montas signed with the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent in 2009, receiving a signing bonus of $75,000. He spent his first few seasons in the Red Sox developmental system, playing for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and the Lowell Spinners in 2012 before moving up to the Greenville Drive in 2013.
Before the 2013 trade deadline, Boston dealt Montas, along with J. B. Wendelken and Cleuluis Rondon, to the Chicago White Sox in a three-team trade. The White Sox assigned him to the Kannapolis Intimidators of the South Atlantic League, where he began the next chapter of his climb through the minors.
Frankie Montas Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
After joining the White Sox organization, Montas opened the 2014 season with the Winston-Salem Dash of the High-A Carolina League. He was selected for the All-Star Futures Game that year but had to withdraw after undergoing surgery on the meniscus in his knee. He later returned to the mound with the Birmingham Barons of the Double-A Southern League, finishing 2014 with a combined 5–0 record and a 1.44 earned run average.
In 2015, Montas threw a seven-inning no-hitter for Birmingham in June and appeared in both the Southern League All-Star Game and the All-Star Futures Game. The White Sox added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, and his fastball touched 100 miles per hour during his first major league spring training. Chicago promoted him to the majors on September 1, and he made his MLB debut the following day as a relief pitcher.
Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers (2015–2016)
Montas appeared briefly for the White Sox in 2015 before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 16, 2015, as part of a three-team deal that sent Todd Frazier to Chicago. His 2016 season was derailed by a rib injury that required surgery in February, limiting him to rehabilitation appearances with the Tulsa Drillers and the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.
The Dodgers traded Montas to the Oakland Athletics on August 1, 2016, along with Jharel Cotton and Grant Holmes, in a deal that sent Josh Reddick and Rich Hill to Los Angeles.
Oakland Athletics Breakthrough (2017–2022)
Montas did not reach the majors in 2016 after the trade but appeared in 23 games for Oakland in 2017. He transitioned into a starting role in 2018, and by 2019 he had emerged as one of the Athletics’ most reliable arms, going 9–2 with a 2.70 earned run average in 15 starts. On June 21, 2019, he was suspended 80 games without pay for testing positive for ostarine, a banned substance.
Montas returned to serve as Oakland’s Opening Day starter in 2020. His best season came in 2021, when he finished 13–9 with a 3.37 earned run average and 207 strikeouts across 187 innings, placing sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting. He agreed to a $5.025 million contract with the Athletics in March 2022, avoiding salary arbitration.
New York Yankees Era (2022–2023)
On August 1, 2022, the Athletics traded Montas and Lou Trivino to the New York Yankees for JP Sears, Ken Waldichuk, Luis Medina, and Cooper Bowman. In eight starts with New York, he posted a 1–3 record and a 6.35 earned run average.
Shoulder inflammation in early 2023 led to arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in February, causing him to miss the majority of the 2023 season. The Yankees activated Montas from the injured list on September 30, 2023, and he became a free agent after the season ended.
Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers (2024)
Montas signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds on January 2, 2024, and was named the team’s Opening Day starter. He went 4–8 with a 5.01 earned run average in 19 starts before the Reds traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers on July 30, 2024. In 11 starts with Milwaukee, he recorded a 3–3 record, a 4.55 earned run average, and 70 strikeouts across 57 and one-third innings.
New York Mets Era (2025)
On December 4, 2024, Montas signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the New York Mets that included an opt-out after the 2025 season. A high-grade lat strain in February delayed his debut until June 24, 2025. After struggling to a 6.38 earned run average over eight games, manager Carlos Mendoza moved him to the bullpen in August.
On August 23, 2025, the Mets announced that Montas would miss the rest of the season due to a significant ulnar collateral ligament injury, and a Tommy John procedure was deemed very likely. On November 4, 2025, he exercised his player option for 2026, but the Mets designated him for assignment on November 18 and released him the same day, returning him to free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Montas has long been recognized for his overpowering fastball, which has been clocked between 98 and 100 miles per hour. He complements the heater with a sharp slider and a developing changeup, generating swings and misses at the top of the strike zone. His best results have come when he attacks hitters early in counts and uses his upper-90s velocity to set up his secondary offerings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Montas’ 2021 campaign stands as his signature season, highlighted by 207 strikeouts and a top-six finish in Cy Young voting. He also threw a seven-inning no-hitter in the minor leagues in 2015, showcasing the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that would later translate to the major leagues.
Frankie Montas Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Montas comes from the Dominican Republic, a country with a deep baseball culture. He has credited his upbringing there with shaping his work ethic and his passion for the game.
Personal Life
Montas is married to his wife, Nicholette, and the couple has two children as of 2021. He is also active on social media, where he shares updates with fans under his handles on X and Instagram.
2025 Season Performance
Montas’ 2025 season with the New York Mets was a difficult one. Signed to a two-year, $34 million contract in December 2024, he was expected to anchor the back end of the rotation. Instead, a high-grade lat strain in February delayed his season debut until late June, and his first eight appearances produced a 6.38 earned run average that led to a move to the bullpen in August.
A subsequent ulnar collateral ligament injury ended his season in late August and required Tommy John surgery. Despite the setback, Montas exercised his player option for 2026 in early November, but the Mets designated him for assignment and released him the same day. He is now a free agent looking to rebuild his value heading into the 2026 season.