Colson Montgomery’s arrival has flipped the White Sox’ rebuild narrative. Since early July, the 23-year-old former top-10 prospect has blended power with plus defense to emerge as a middle-of-the-order presence at shortstop, answering questions about his readiness with a 452-foot blast at Rate Field that highlighted a 6-4 win over Cleveland. He’s slashed nine homers, driven in 25 runs, scored 15, and posted an .853 OPS since the All-Star break, a remarkable turn after a Triple-A start that had many doubting his ceiling.

His breakout isn’t just about raw numbers; Montgomery has shed the mental weight that hampered him in 2024, explaining how a months-long focus on preparing and trusting his coaches freed him to let his ability take over. White Sox brass, led by GM Chris Getz, believe his development trajectory could anchor the franchise for years, with his glove at shortstop stabilizing a defense that’s carried the rebuild. Veterans Mike Tauchman and Michael A. Taylor have also stepped up in the outfield, supporting a clubhouse that Venable has cultivated into a consistent, team-first environment.