Colson Montgomery returns to the Arizona Fall League — 1 of 9 Chicago White Sox prospects competing

Colson Montgomery began the final series of his 2024 season with a double to left field in the first inning on Sept.

17 in Syracuse, N.Y.

The Triple-A Charlotte shortstop finished the game with two hits, two walks, a run and an RBI.

The highly touted Chicago White Sox prospect collected two more hits the next night including a home run and drove in four.

Montgomery hit four home runs in September while slashing .264/.357/.485, a vast improvement at the plate after batting .185 in June, .180 in July and .198 in August.

Hell look to carry over some of that late-season success while returning to the Arizona Fall League for a second straight year.

The year as a whole didnt go as well as he wouldve liked, Sox director of player development Paul Janish said during a recent video conference.

But I do give him credit because going to the Fall League for the second time isnt maybe the most exciting thing in a lot of cases, and hes on board with doing whatever he needs to do to put himself in the best position to play at the major-league level as soon as possible.

With what we have in front of us, the Fall League is an opportunity to do that.

Give Colson a lot of credit for being on board with it.

Montgomery, 22, is one of nine players in the Sox organization listed on the Glendale Desert Dogs roster .

The teams first game is Tuesday.

A first-round selection by the Sox in 2021, Montgomery slashed .214/.329/.381 with 21 doubles, 18 home runs and 63 RBIs in 130 games this season with the Knights .

Janish said Montgomery continued to go in the right direction defensively, despite not swinging the bat as well as he wouldve liked.

Looking forward to getting him out here and getting to see him and talk to him and watch him play a little bit, Janish said.

Montgomery hit .244 with three home runs and 20 RBIs in 20 games for Glendale in last years Arizona Fall League.

White Sox prospect Colson Montgomery throws to first base during the All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field on July 13, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.

(Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) Janish isnt worried about Montgomery extending himself after the lengthy Triple-A season.

Im proud of him for the work he did off the field with regard to maintaining the body, Janish said.

Thats something hes going to have to continue to work on.

Hopefully he plays more than 130 (games) next year, right? Hes healthy.

He feels good.

Hes got his mind right with regard to what his offseason program is going to be, in terms of performance training and preparation for next year as well.

But in the short term, hes going to do the Fall League.

No concerns on the workload.

Joining Montgomery on Glendales roster are pitchers Eric Adler (Double-A Birmingham), Andrew Dalquist (Birmingham), Anthony Hoopii-Tuioneotoa (Charlotte), Peyton Pallette (Class A Winston-Salem) and Grant Taylor (Class A Kannapolis), catcher Michael Turner (Birmingham), infielder Tim Elko (Charlotte) and outfielder DJ Gladney (Birmingham).

Montgomery (No.

3) and Taylor (No.6) are top-10 prospects in the Sox organization, according to MLB.com .

Gladney, who went to Illiana Christian, had the game-winning single for Birmingham to secure the Southern League championship.

It felt amazing, Gladney said of the hit during a video conference.

I cant believe that situation came up in the game.

Im just glad I was able to give the team a victory.

Related Articles Chicago White Sox | New manager Terry Francona, 65, says the Cincinnati Reds job just felt right Chicago White Sox | Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox have a new TV home.

Heres what to know about the Chicago Sports Network.

Chicago White Sox | Column: What exactly is GM Chris Getz looking for in his search for the next Chicago White Sox manager? Chicago White Sox | Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians neighbors and AL Central rivals are meeting in postseason for 1st time Chicago White Sox | Banana Ball is headed to Sox Park: The Savannah Bananas 2025 schedule includes 2 games at Guaranteed Rate Field Gladney hit a combined .246/.303/.450 for Winston-Salem and the Barons.

Sent him back to Winston, which was unexpected for him, Janish said.

Struggled early and, man, just really proud of him.

He finished really strong.

Hes extremely talented.

He hits the ball as hard as anyone we have.

Does he need to develop on strike-zone discipline? Sure, yeah, but when he touches it, its thunder, man.

He can play all three outfield positions.

Im excited for him.

The Fall League will be good exposure for him.

Gladney, 23, is looking to make the most of the opportunity.

I didnt think I deserved it in the beginning because I had such a rough start, he said.

It just took me by surprise in the beginning, and Im just glad Im going to be able to showcase and take the opportunity that Ive been given.

Definitely looking forward to all the different prospects being in one ballpark, one area.

Definitely looking forward to the competition on the baseball side.

Also looking forward to meeting new people, getting outside of my comfort zone, meeting new players from all across the country.

Thats what Im looking forward to the most..

This article has been shared from the original article on chicagotribune, here is the link to the original article.