'Playing free' has allowed White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery to impress defensively

PITTSBURGH — White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery has assimilated quickly into the team’s clubhouse.

Before games, he’s often chatting with his fellow rookies (Chase Meidroth, Sean Burke and Kyle Teel) or conversing with the veterans. There’s a sense of belonging that Montgomery possesses that is almost unfathomable considering that in May there were serious concerns on whether he would ever get a call up to the majors after slashing .149/.223/.255 over his first 23 games at Triple-A Charlotte, necessitating a trip to Arizona to work on his swing with director of hitting Ryan Fuller.

“He’s done a really good job of slowing the game down,” assistant general manager Josh Barfield said Saturday. “Some guys, when they get to the big leagues, they just feel like they belong here.”

Montgomery has a long way to go to prove he’s an everyday big-league player, but Barfield’s comments evoke the famous line from the rapper Jay-Z: “Check out my swag, yo, I walk like a ballplayer.”

With his pedigree and athletic ability at 6-4, he certainly has the disposition of a major-leaguer. Now, it's on him to prove it.

In Friday’s 10-1 win, Montgomery was tested regularly and he held up well. On one play, Montgomery ranged back to field the ball and threw a rocket to first base for the inning-ending out. That play showed Montgomery’s arm strength and fielding acumen. On another play, Montgomery had a quick reaction to a sharply hit line drive toward him that he caught using his long limbs.

“We talk about defense being a constant,” third-base coach Justin Jirschele told the Sun-Times. “He's playing with a high level of confidence right now. He's playing free."

Montgomery, the Sox’ 2021 first-round pick, was drafted in part because of the potential his frame portended. But Montgomery's plus athletic traits rarely showed up in the minors — his mobility was limited in 2023 as he dealt with a back injury that kept him out from spring training until June 19 of that season.

Over his first 12 games, Montgomery has flashed with his reliable defense at shortstop and third base. Manager Will Venable said that Montgomery's athleticism is popping, unlike in Spring training, at shortstop and third base.

Since getting the call up, Montgomery has been intentional about his preparation. He’s developed his routine of going into the weight room before games to lift and stretch. After hitting the weight room, Montgomery then goes to the field to work with Jirschele on infield drills.

Montgomery needs the reps because he only played at third base just four games in the minors. Before Saturday's game, he had logged 24 innings at third and 69 at shortstop.

“I know sometimes playing third, you can think that you got to be more blocky and block the ball,” Montgomery told the Sun-Times. “But [Jirschele] just keeps telling me, ‘Do what I do at shortstop over at third base and stay athletic.’”

Jirschele runs Montgomery through fungo drills, which emphasizes good footwork. Throughout the drill, Montgomery doesn’t know where the ball is going to be hit and Jirschele alters the speed and angles to give Montgomery different looks and velocity.

“I can't just go out there and go through the motions,” Montgomery said. “I have to get my body right and into a competitive mindset, especially because of how crucial defense is.”

Defensive versatility is an emphasis for the Sox: It gives Venable more options, is more stable from year to year, and, when played well, can have a positive effect on the pitching staff.

So far, Montgomery has exemplified the traits and demeanor the club is looking for from a player they envision as part of their core.

"The confidence that he plays with, he seems to always be in the right spot at the right time," Jirschele said. "He can get downhill and really make some plays that stand out with the long legs and the range. The intangibles there that he brings to the table really stand out."