White Sox Shortstop Colson Montgomery Shines in Three-Point Shooting, Struggles at the Plate

The 24-year-old prospect won a three-point shooting contest among his teammates but is batting just .185 this spring training.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Colson Montgomery, the White Sox's top shortstop prospect, won a three-point shooting contest among his teammates at the team's spring training facility in Arizona. However, the 24-year-old is struggling at the plate, batting just .185 so far this spring after hitting .239 in 71 games with the big-league club last season. Despite the hitting woes, White Sox manager Will Venable said Montgomery will be on the Opening Day roster and start at shortstop on March 26.

Why it matters

Montgomery was a highly touted draft pick by the White Sox in 2021, selected 22nd overall. His ability to excel at both baseball and basketball as a high school star in Indiana raised expectations, but his transition to the majors has been a work in progress. The White Sox are hoping Montgomery can find his groove at the plate and solidify their shortstop position long-term.

The details

In the three-point shooting contest, Montgomery defeated teammates Mike Vasil, Ryan Borucki and Zach Franklin, hitting 12 out of 20 shots for a 60% clip. However, his batting average this spring is just .185, after hitting .239 in 71 games with the White Sox last season. Despite the offensive struggles, manager Will Venable said Montgomery will be on the Opening Day roster and start at shortstop, with the ability to also play third base.

  • Montgomery won the three-point shooting contest on Wednesday morning.
  • The White Sox will open their season on March 26 in Milwaukee.

The players

Colson Montgomery

A 24-year-old shortstop prospect for the Chicago White Sox, who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2021. He was a standout basketball and baseball player in high school in Indiana.

Will Venable

The second-year manager of the Chicago White Sox, who also had to choose between baseball and basketball during his own college career at Princeton.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He's been having a good spring. The pregame work has been great. There have been some barrels there recently. He's still coming along, trying to find his way at the plate. But the defensive stuff, the running stuff we've asked him to do — he's been outstanding.”

— Will Venable, Manager, Chicago White Sox

“My goal every day is just to get everything out of each day. Just show up and try to be the best person, the best player I can every single day. If I do that results-wise everything is going to fall in place. It's a building block every day. That's the way I look at it. Baseball is such a tough game.”

— Colson Montgomery

What’s next

The White Sox will decide on Tuesday whether to keep Montgomery on the Opening Day roster and in the starting lineup at shortstop.

The takeaway

Montgomery's ability to excel at both basketball and baseball in high school made him a highly touted prospect, but his transition to the major leagues has been a work in progress. The White Sox are hoping he can find his groove at the plate and solidify their shortstop position long-term, even as he continues to showcase his athletic versatility.