White Sox Could Call Up Top Prospect to Solve Outfield Woes

Braden Montgomery, the team's top prospect, could provide a needed spark to the struggling offense.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball player swinging a bat, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives conveying the raw energy and athleticism of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a rising young outfielder's dynamic swing, hinting at the potential impact he could have on a struggling team's lineup.Boston Today

The Chicago White Sox are in need of a boost to their outfield and offense, and their top prospect Braden Montgomery could be the solution. Montgomery, a 12th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, is currently playing in Double-A but could make his MLB debut this season and take over the everyday right field job.

Why it matters

The White Sox have struggled offensively to start the 2026 season, and their outfield production has been a major issue. Calling up their top prospect Montgomery, who has shown impressive power and on-base skills in the minors, could provide a much-needed jolt to the lineup and solidify their outfield.

The details

Montgomery was a standout high school player in Mississippi, earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors in his senior season. He then went on to play at Stanford and Texas A&M, focusing solely on developing as an outfielder. The White Sox acquired Montgomery in a trade that sent Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox, and he is currently playing at the Double-A level to start 2026. Experts believe he could be major league ready and provide an immediate impact for the struggling White Sox.

  • Montgomery was selected 12th overall by the Boston Red Sox in the 2024 MLB Draft.
  • He was traded to the White Sox as part of the deal that sent Garrett Crochet to Boston.
  • Montgomery is currently playing at the Double-A level to begin the 2026 season.

The players

Braden Montgomery

The Chicago White Sox's top prospect, an outfielder who was a 12th overall draft pick in 2024 and is currently playing at the Double-A level.

Garrett Crochet

A pitcher who was traded from the White Sox to the Boston Red Sox, as part of the deal that brought Braden Montgomery to Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“The White Sox received four prospects in the deal that sent Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox, and Montgomery is the only one that has yet to reach the majors. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 draft racked up 50 extra-base hits in 121 last year while reaching Double-A, and the everyday right field job and a spot in the middle of the lineup awaits before 2026 is over.”

— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report

What’s next

If Montgomery continues to perform well in Double-A, the White Sox could decide to call him up to the major league roster later this season to provide a boost to their struggling offense and outfield.

The takeaway

The White Sox's decision to call up their top prospect Braden Montgomery could be a game-changer for their 2026 season. Montgomery has the potential to solidify the outfield and provide a much-needed spark to the lineup, which has been a major issue for the team so far this year.