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Rising Star Colson Montgomery Returns to Double-A Following Back Injury

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Besnik Zekiri | Last updated 7/31/23

The Chicago White Sox are promoting top prospect Colson Montgomery to Double-A Birmingham, per reports. The 21-year-old shortstop has torn the cover off the baseball in High-A since his return from a back injury. This won't be Montgomery's first stop in Birmingham; he reached Double-A last season for a brief 14-game stint.

The southern Indiana native showcased immense talent in high school. His towering presence at 6-foot-4 and fluid left-handed swing grabbed the attention of scouts nationwide. The White Sox saw his potential and selected him 22nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Montgomery rose through the ranks quickly during the 2022 season. He made it through Low-A and High-A before his short stint with Birmingham. The lefty reached base an impressive 50 straight games and did across two levels of affiliated baseball. Overall, he slashed .274/.381/.429 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs in 420 plate appearances last season.

He's Back

A back injury forced Montgomery to miss the first half of this season. However, he will now find his way to Double-A, where he ended his 2022 campaign. The back injury appears to be behind him as well. Montgomery hit .345/.537/.552 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 17 games with the White Sox High-A affiliate in Winston-Salem.

Double-A represents a significant stepping stone for Montgomery, with a higher level of competition and the chance to face more seasoned pitching. Like many prospects, we may see an initial regression period while he adjusts. As he grows as a player, fans can watch his development and look forward to his debut at 35th and Shields.

What's On Tap Next?

That day will grow even nearer as Montgomery progresses, but fans shouldn't expect to see him in the big leagues in 2023. Nevertheless, should he continue on his current trajectory, he has a chance to make the big league roster out of spring training in 2024.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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