Colson Montgomery is finally coming to the big leagues. Jeff Cohen of Future Sox reported earlier tonight that Montgomery had been scratched from the Triple-A Charlotte Knights lineup, leading to speculation that he could be called up. Kris Norton, the Sports Director at WITZ Radio, later confirmed the news. Montgomery will reportedly make his MLB debut tomorrow against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Montgomery's Prospect Pedigree
Montgomery, now 23, was the White Sox first-round pick in 2021. He quickly excelled in professional baseball, ranking high on prospect lists since getting drafted. Montgomery was the #1 prospect in the White Sox organization in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and looked to be the shortstop of the future on the South Side.
Hard Reset In Arizona
However, the last few seasons have not been as kind to Montgomery. He slashed just .214/.329/.381 in 130 Triple-A games last season and was even worse at the beginning of this season. Through April 27th, he was hitting just .149 with a strikeout rate of over 40%. His situation became so dire that the organization pulled him out of Triple-A entirely and sent him to Arizona to work with White Sox Director of Hitting Ryan Fuller towards the end of April. The move was a hard reset on his season and allowed Montgomery to refine his game in a low-pressure environment.
Recent Resurgence
His mental breather looks to have paid dividends. In 32 games with the Knights since returning from Arizona, he hit .270/.353/.574 with nine doubles, two triples, and eight home runs in 139 plate appearances. He has also reduced his strikeout rate to just over 28% and recently earned his way back onto MLB.com's top 100 prospect list, slotting in at #95 overall. Consistency remains an issue, but Montgomery's recent stretch has firmly put him back on the map.
Golden Opportunity
Montgomery now has a golden opportunity in front of him. He will likely get consistent playing time at shortstop, with Chase Meidroth shifting to second base. Even with his struggles in recent years, the 6'3, 230-pound, left-handed hitting Montgomery is still one of the most highly regarded position player prospects in the White Sox farm system and is an integral piece of the team's future.
Corresponding Move
The corresponding move for Montgomery's arrival has not been announced, but there are a couple of possibilities. Michael A. Taylor left last night's game because of injury and could go to the IL. Vinny Capra could also potentially be headed out.
Final Word
Colson Montgomery is the latest White Sox prospect to get his chance at the big leagues this season. As the team continues its rebuild, roster spots moving forward are there for the taking. Whether Montgomery makes the most of this chance remains to be seen.
