Prospect Montgomery gives White Sox needed hope for the future
For White Sox fans, it's been a series of gut punches.
The first blow came early - a 7-21 start to last season that set the terrible tone.
From there the clubhouse became fractured as the losses mounted.
Before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, seven veterans were traded for prospects. Jake Burger was the most notable.
Not only was the popular third baseman an emerging power hitter, Burger was under contractual control through 2028.
It was a curious deal, and there seemed to a split in the Sox's front office on moving Burger.
Executive Kenny Williams was in favor of the trade. General manager Rick Hahn was not.
Three weeks later, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf fired Williams and Hahn. Considering the duo had a combined 54 years of front-office service, Reinsdorf's decision was shocking.
There was a shooting at Guaranteed Rate Field in late August, the Sox wound up losing 101 games, and the departures continued in the off-season.
Shortstop Tim Anderson's $14 million option for next year was declined and starting pitcher Mike Clevinger joined him on the free-agent market after turning down his $12 million mutual option for 2024.
Beloved TV broadcaster Jason Benetti is the latest departure.
Last week, the South suburban native and lifelong White Sox fan left to work for the Detroit Tigers.
Fans would be lined up to vent at SoxFest, but the popular January gathering has been postponed for the third straight year.
That's a whole lot of misery, but there is something for the base to start getting exciting about - Colson Montgomery.
The White Sox's first-round draft pick in 2021 out of Southridge High School in Indiana, Montgomery has blossomed into one of baseball's top prospects.
If Anderson was back next season, Montgomery was likely ticketed for more development at Class AAA Charlotte.
Now the 21-year-old shortstop is on a much faster track to the major leagues.
"I don't want to have the expectation for Colson to think he's going to be our Opening Day shortstop," Chris Getz told reporters at last week's general managers meetings in Phoenix. "But I don't want to cap anything for him, either, because it's important for him to stay motivated and be ready to go in spring training because who knows how 2024 unravels for him."
Montgomery hurt his back last spring and was limited to 64 games with Class AA Birmingham, high A Winston-Salem and the Arizona Complex League White Sox. The left-hander hit .287/.456/.484 with 8 home runs and 37 RBI.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder also drew 56 walks in 294 plate appearances.
Montgomery needed more time on the field after being sidelined so long and he got it. In 20 games in the Arizona Fall League, he hit .244/.300/.415 with 3 homers and 20 RBI.
"He's been the talk of the Arizona Fall League," Getz said. "Not just the White Sox talking, other organizations as well. That just speaks to his potential and how much he's getting better every time he goes out and plays."
Montgomery has yet to play a game at Triple-A, so he still needs some seasoning. But the sooner the engaging talent makes it to the South Side, the better for Sox fans.
"I don't want to set limitations on Colson Montgomery," Getz said. "He's a guy that is very unique and has the ability to be a special player at the major-league level. He's still growing into his body, but he's played a pretty solid shortstop in the Fall League. He has some zone awareness, he has a hit tool, he has some power he's tapping into. He has a chance to be a well-rounded player."