Colson Montgomery (born February 27, 2002) is an American professional baseball shortstop in the Chicago White Sox organization. He was selected by the White Sox in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.
Early Life and Amateur Career Montgomery was born in Portland, Indiana. He attended Southridge High School in Huntingburg, Indiana, where he excelled in both baseball and basketball. On the baseball field, he played shortstop and pitched, earning Gatorade Indiana Baseball Player of the Year honors in his senior year (2021). As a senior, he posted a .333 batting average with seven home runs and 22 RBIs while also recording a 6-0 record with a 0.70 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched. In basketball, he was a highly recruited point guard and committed to play college basketball at Indiana University, before ultimately choosing to pursue professional baseball.
Professional Career Montgomery was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2021 MLB draft. He signed with the White Sox for a $3.027 million bonus, foregoing his commitment to Indiana University.
After signing, Montgomery made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League White Sox in 2021, where he played in 26 games, hitting .287 with one home run and 18 RBIs. In 2022, he began the season with the Low-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers before being promoted to the High-A Winston-Salem Dash later that year. He finished the 2022 season with a combined .274 batting average, 11 home runs, and 47 RBIs across 64 games between the two levels.
He began the 2023 season on the injured list with an oblique strain but returned to action later in the year, playing for Winston-Salem and eventually being promoted to the Double-A Birmingham Barons and Triple-A Charlotte Knights. Despite the injury, Montgomery continued to showcase his hitting and defensive potential, solidifying his status as one of baseball's top prospects.
Player Profile Montgomery is known for his advanced plate discipline, raw power potential, and strong defensive skills at shortstop. He possesses a smooth left-handed swing and a good understanding of the strike zone, leading to high on-base percentages. His athleticism, arm strength, and soft hands project him as a potential everyday shortstop in Major League Baseball. His basketball background is often cited for his fluid movements and quick decision-making on the field.