Colson Montgomery ready to take next steps as the White Sox' centerpiece
As White Sox fans made their way Friday into the Ramova Theatre for SoxFest Live, many sported the jerseys of past players. There was a Mark Buehrle jersey here and a Paul Konerko jersey there.
And rightfully so. Buehrle and Konerko are team legends who deserve to be remembered.
But as the Sox enter this season, fans need a current player they can connect with, especially after the trade of center fielder Luis Robert Jr. They need the kind of player who is built to lead the Sox out of the doldrums they’ve been in during three consecutive 100-loss seasons.
The Sox think they have that player in shortstop Colson Montgomery, who was introduced last among the players in attendance and drew a raucous ovation from the crowd.
The fact that Montgomery played his way from a profound minor-league slump back into the Sox’ plans last season is remarkable, given that the team temporarily sent him from Triple-A Charlotte to its base in Arizona to give him some individual instruction. That demotion proved to be a pivotal point, allowing Montgomery to reset and reassess.
‘‘It was just a product of the organization and the coaches believing in me,’’ Montgomery said. ‘‘Their belief in me from the start is kind of what kept my confidence and my belief in myself. I had belief in myself, but if you are struggling and the organization is still high on you and still believing in you, it gives you extra motivation.’’
Montgomery said the reset was helpful because it enabled him to see how pitchers were attacking him and to build a daily routine. The Sox, meanwhile, remained steadfast in their belief in Montgomery, whose dedication to improving at the plate impressed them.
Montgomery’s hard work paid off. After he returned to Charlotte and showed he was ready, the Sox called him up to the majors July 4. From then until the end of the season, he had 21 home runs, 55 RBI and an .840 OPS, cementing himself as one of the Sox’ brightest stars.
‘‘Once I got up here to Chicago, I just started having the most fun that I’ve ever had in my life,’’ Montgomery said.
His success was also a vindication of the Sox’ hitting infrastructure, led by director of hitting Ryan Fuller. Organizations such as the Dodgers and Cubs can use their financial might to fix draft mistakes. As a mid-market team in a big-market city, however, the Sox don’t have that luxury. For them, draft mistakes can set the organization back years.
With Robert having been traded to the Mets, Montgomery is now the face of the Sox as they enter a pivotal season.
In large part because of his power, Montgomery debuted at No. 88 on MLB Network’s Top 100 Players Right Now list. Toward the end of last season, he drew praise from Twins All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton, who called him a ‘‘baller’’ and said he was ready for the majors.
Montgomery’s teammates say he projects a calming presence.
‘‘Colson does a great job of staying right in the middle, staying even-keeled,’’ catcher Kyle Teel said. ‘‘That’s who you strive to be.’’
Montgomery’s power and defensive aptitude make him someone who might be able to push the Sox into the next phase of their rebuild. And as far as the fans go, he’s the type of player who gives them hope and optimism that the Sox are headed in the right direction.