Some of the best stories in sports history have to do with comebacks and the underdogs rising that rise from the dust. The story of New York Mets pitcher Bryce Montes de Oca is one of those comeback stories fans have likely have never before. 

Montes de Oca, the 25-year-old righty from Lawrence, Kansas, is finally pitching with the Mets organization for the first time since being drafted in 2018. While his journey to playing professional baseball is incredible, some may not know that it started back in 2014. As a high schooler, Montes de Oca was selected in the 14th round of the First-Year Player Draft. This was his first glimpse of achieving his dream. 

Ultimately,  Montes de Oca declined his first offer from the White Sox, feeling wasn’t ready to be a prospect. Bryce was dealt his first significant injury blow in high school, needing Tommy John surgery to repair the ligaments inside his right elbow. Wanting more experience pitching at a higher level after this surgery, Bryce decided to accept his offer to the University of Missouri, where he would turn heads with his incredible velocity.

Bryce Montes de Oca was drafted three times in his career. White Sox, Nationals, and the New York Mets. Watch why he declined his first offer and decided to pitch in college, he also talks about his first time hitting 100 MPH. @Mets_Minors @Metsmerized exclusive coming. pic.twitter.com/vPdh9MNzQc

— Joseph Langan (@JosephLangan2) July 27, 2021

He would reach velos of 98 MPH during his early years at Missouri, but would ultimately be dealt with his second significant injury in 2016. This time, he needed ulnar nerve transposition surgery (the same surgery that former Met Steven Matz required in 2017.) Montes de Oca came back during the 2017 season and featured high strikeout numbers (61) and higher velocity (100 MPH). These elevated numbers would lead Bryce to his second draft opportunity by the Washington Nationals in the 15th round in 2017. 

Declining his invitation to the big leagues for a second time, Montes de Oca would pitch one more season for Missouri. He posted the highest strikeout out rate and lowest WHIP of his career in 2018, finishing his college campaign with a total of 124 innings pitched and 137 strikeouts, including a combined no-hitter. With numbers like that, the Mets took a chance on Bryce, drafting him for the third and final time in the 9th round in 2018. 

https://twitter.com/mizzoubaseball/status/969767285475995648?s=21

While the big righty finally signed with a big-league squad, the injuries continued to plague him. He needed four different surgeries. These included another arm surgery, shoulder surgery, back surgery, and finally a knee surgery within a matter of two years. While the season was lost time for many minor leaguers in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Montes de Oca used it to get completely healthy and work on getting back on the mound.   

The Mets draft Missouri RHP Bryce Montes de Oca in the 9th round, No. 260 overall. Third time the big righty has been drafted. He's got another year of eligibility. Projected pick value at $152.1K

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) June 5, 2018

His journey from the beginning has been filled with speed bumps along the way,  at times not knowing if he would ever find himself pitching again. With the full support of the New York Mets organization and his strong determination to pitch again, Montes de Oca overcame the odds. After over 1,095 days of rehab since 2018, Bryce finally found himself competing on a professional team, with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2021. “The best venue in Minor League Baseball,” he calls the Cyclones ballpark.      

Got the opportunity to interview @BKCyclones flame thrower Bryce Montes de Oca. He has an incredible comeback story to tell as he’s pitching professional for the first time since being drafted in 2018. He’s reached speeds of 101 with his fastball and has a 2.86 ERA. @Mets_Minors pic.twitter.com/WPbaDlPzqA

— Joseph Langan (@JosephLangan2) July 24, 2021

This season, he’s collected 23 innings of work and has totaled 30 strikeouts, posting an ERA of 3.52. What makes him so remarkable is his ability to touch 100 MPH on a nightly basis with ease, despite the arm issue he has had in the past. He’s even topped out at 102 MPH. While batters should be intimidated when he comes out of the pen, Montes de Oca needs to work on his accuracy, posting a 1.435 WHIP and 21 walks. With a deadly curveball in his arsenal, Montes de Oca could be a real dual pitch threat coming out of anyone’s bullpen if he can clean up the accuracy. 

Bryce Montes de Oca is becoming one the more dominant relievers in this New York Mets system. Here’s a look at his mechanics and his 100 MPH strikeout. He consistently sat at 98 MPH with his fastball and sat at around 83 MPH with his off speed. @Mets_Minors pic.twitter.com/PcD7znWQwN

— Joseph Langan (@JosephLangan2) July 22, 2021

Bryce’s journey certainly isn’t over; instead, a new one is just starting in Brooklyn for the flame-throwing righty. Fans should not only be amazed by his comeback to baseball, but take inspiration from it as well. Bryce never gave up, and he won’t stop until he reaches his ultimate goal of reaching the major leagues. 

Thank you to Bryce for taking the time out and for the Brooklyn Cyclones organization for facilitating the interview.