Introduction to Braden Montgomery
MINNEAPOLIS — White Sox prospect Braden Montgomery isn’t shying away from his top prospect status. He knows that he’s flying through his first full season of pro ball, providing fans with intoxicating glimpses of the power that he can showcase in the majors one day. But he views the majors as a goal, not a point of anxiety.
Embracing the Challenge
“I enjoy a challenge, [and] the first year of pro ball has certainly been a challenge,” Montgomery said Wednesday. “It’s a game of failure, so you’ve got to fail a different way and use those failures to round out your bulletproof approach. Each level comes with its new set of challenges.” Montgomery, whom the Sox acquired this past offseason from Boston in the Garrett Crochet trade, was named the Sox’ Minor League Player of the Month for August across 30 games.
Performance at Double-A Birmingham
Montgomery is on a blistering tear at Double-A Birmingham since being promoted in July. Entering Wednesday, Montgomery was batting .304/.386/.465 with a .850 OPS. At 22, he’s still younger than most players at that level. Aside from shortstop Colson Montgomery, the team doesn’t have a pure power hitter. The club hopes that Montgomery develops into a mainstay in right field. He also profiles as a solid defender at both corner spots due to his plus arm strength.
Rising Through the Ranks
Montgomery was ranked No. 55 on MLB.com’s top 100 list before the season and moved up to No. 32 for their midseason rankings due to his stellar play across three levels. “I made it happen pitch by pitch,” Montgomery said. “Everything was coming together. Every day, I tried to take a step forward and I was locked in and seeing the pitches I needed to see. Getting up there and not missing them. I feel like sometimes when days aren’t going as hot, you are missing the fastball or the ball in the middle of the plate you need to hit.
Future Prospects
Montgomery has played 118 games this season and will add on to that total once the minor-league playoffs conclude when he plays in the Arizona Fall League. Having already reached Double A, Montgomery could realistically get a call-up to the majors or reach Triple A next year if he stays on his current trajectory. “I’m excited to see more talent,” he said. “I just want to prepare as much for the big leagues as possible. I want to show that’s where I want to be.” From time to time, Montgomery watches quick recaps of the Sox’ games when he’s winding down from his own games and workouts.
Impact on the Team
It’s motivating for Montgomery to see such a young group ascend to the majors as quickly as Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel have. Given the outsized role the young players have in the Sox’ success in the future, manager Will Venable said it’s important that the young players continue to hold each other accountable and develop good habits for the health of the organization going forward. “They’re massive stakeholders in this,” Venable said of the rookies. “They get to set the standard for us. They get to hold each other accountable to it — we help them with that — but it’s nothing like these guys holding each other accountable.
Conclusion
Braden Montgomery is undoubtedly ready to show that he is prepared for the majors. With his impressive performance at Double-A Birmingham and his determination to continuously improve, he is on the right track to achieving his goal. As the White Sox look to the future, Montgomery is certainly one of the key players to watch, and his development will be crucial to the team’s success.
FAQs
Q: What is Braden Montgomery’s current batting average at Double-A Birmingham?
A: .304/.386/.465 with a .850 OPS.
Q: How many games has Montgomery played this season?
A: 118 games.
Q: What is Montgomery’s ranking on MLB.com’s top 100 list?
A: No. 32 for their midseason rankings.
Q: What is the expectation for Montgomery’s future in the majors?
A: He could realistically get a call-up to the majors or reach Triple A next year if he stays on his current trajectory.
Q: How does Montgomery prepare for the big leagues?
A: By taking it one pitch at a time, staying locked in, and seeing the pitches he needs to see.
