Colson Montgomery: The Player the White Sox Need to Move Forward.
The White Sox are entering a pivotal season, and with the trade of center fielder Luis Robert Jr., they need a current player who can connect with fans on a deeper level. Shortstop Colson Montgomery is that player. Introduced at SoxFest Live last week, Montgomery drew a raucous ovation from the crowd, cementing his status as the face of the team.
Montgomery's journey to becoming the Sox' centerpiece has been remarkable. The 25-year-old shortstop overcame a profound minor-league slump in 2023 by being demoted to Triple-A Charlotte, where he received individual instruction and was able to reset and reassess his game. His hard work paid off, as he returned to the majors July 4th with an impressive 21 home runs, 55 RBI, and an .840 OPS.
While Montgomery's success is a testament to his dedication and growth as a player, it also vindicates the Sox' hitting infrastructure, led by director of hitting Ryan Fuller. Unlike larger-market teams like the Dodgers and Cubs, who can afford to fix draft mistakes with their financial might, the mid-market White Sox don't have that luxury. As a result, Montgomery's emergence serves as a reminder that even without significant resources, an organization can still develop talented players through careful planning and individual instruction.
Montgomery projects a calming presence on the team, according to teammates like catcher Kyle Teel, who praises his ability to stay "right in the middle" and "even-keeled." The shortstop's power and defensive aptitude make him someone who could potentially push the Sox into their next phase of rebuild. For fans, Montgomery represents hope and optimism that the team is headed in the right direction.
While the road ahead won't be easy, with Montgomery at the helm, the White Sox have a player who embodies the qualities needed to move forward from three consecutive 100-loss seasons.
The White Sox are entering a pivotal season, and with the trade of center fielder Luis Robert Jr., they need a current player who can connect with fans on a deeper level. Shortstop Colson Montgomery is that player. Introduced at SoxFest Live last week, Montgomery drew a raucous ovation from the crowd, cementing his status as the face of the team.
Montgomery's journey to becoming the Sox' centerpiece has been remarkable. The 25-year-old shortstop overcame a profound minor-league slump in 2023 by being demoted to Triple-A Charlotte, where he received individual instruction and was able to reset and reassess his game. His hard work paid off, as he returned to the majors July 4th with an impressive 21 home runs, 55 RBI, and an .840 OPS.
While Montgomery's success is a testament to his dedication and growth as a player, it also vindicates the Sox' hitting infrastructure, led by director of hitting Ryan Fuller. Unlike larger-market teams like the Dodgers and Cubs, who can afford to fix draft mistakes with their financial might, the mid-market White Sox don't have that luxury. As a result, Montgomery's emergence serves as a reminder that even without significant resources, an organization can still develop talented players through careful planning and individual instruction.
Montgomery projects a calming presence on the team, according to teammates like catcher Kyle Teel, who praises his ability to stay "right in the middle" and "even-keeled." The shortstop's power and defensive aptitude make him someone who could potentially push the Sox into their next phase of rebuild. For fans, Montgomery represents hope and optimism that the team is headed in the right direction.
While the road ahead won't be easy, with Montgomery at the helm, the White Sox have a player who embodies the qualities needed to move forward from three consecutive 100-loss seasons.