Bold statement up front: Colson Montgomery isn’t satisfied with good numbers—he’s chasing excellence every day, and that relentless drive could define his future with the White Sox.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Contentment isn’t part of White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery’s playbook.
“I’m still trying to prove myself,” Montgomery said Sunday, even after delivering 21 home runs and 53 RBIs following his major-league debut on July 4 last year. “I’m trying to prove myself to the league and prove to myself that I come in every day and be the best person and player I can be.”
His strong production brought welcome relief to Sox executives who had patiently watched him develop after selecting him in the first round of the 2021 draft. Yet higher expectations now loom as the club aims to move from rebuilding to contending.
“I feel really good he’s comfortable with that process of handling expectations,” Sox manager Will Venable said about Montgomery. “In supporting that, we’re helping him focus—like all our players—on building solid daily habits to sustain performance throughout the year. Colson isn’t different in that regard. He’s built for it.”
On the hitting front, Montgomery treated his offseason like a prelude to the regular season, preparing with the same rigor he’d use during games.
The 6-foot-3 infielder, who appears lighter than his listed 230 pounds, reviewed swing videos with hitting-crew leader Ryan Fuller and new hitting coach Derek Shomon. They didn’t overlook his 29.2% strikeout rate, his 69.6% contact rate, or his 28.2% chase rate on pitches outside the zone, according to Statcast.
But the offseason work went beyond swing mechanics. Montgomery hit .286 against breaking pitches but .238 against fastballs last season.
“They told me to focus on more competitive machine work with high velocity,” Montgomery explained. “I felt like I handle high velocity well, but you can always improve. That was one of the big areas.”
“From my background, I’m a competitor, so they wanted me to do more competition stuff. It raises my intent in the cage beyond ordinary batting-practice flips.”
While Montgomery’s on-field breakout drew attention, it also spotlighted his defensive reliability at shortstop, which helped quell questions about a potential switch to third base in the long run.
Venable values Montgomery’s defensive versatility, but he anticipates Montgomery playing shortstop at least 90% of the time.
Montgomery’s defense showed notable strides, especially in how he handles grounders. Some scouts noted a smoother, more direct path to the ball this year, a refinement compared with the slightly circular route he displayed in the Arizona Fall League in 2023–24. The improvement minimizes throw time and emphasizes quicker decision-making.
He logged seven defensive runs saved last season, a testament to coach Justin Jirschele’s emphasis on pregame prep and Montgomery’s internal clock for grounders.
“I study how hard the ball is hit and scout the runner,” Montgomery said. “If a guy really gets out of the box, you might only have one or two shuffles before you need to release the ball. That’s why I prioritize the inner clock. Catch it, get rid of it as soon as I can—the strength of my throw isn’t the only factor.”
