Former Texas A&M outfielder Braden Montgomery’s first main league season ended within the American League Division Sequence, however his rookie 12 months gave the Chicago White Sox one other younger participant to construct round.
Montgomery appeared in 93 regular-season video games after Chicago promoted him from Triple-A Charlotte in June. He hit .226 with a .312 on-base proportion, 73 hits, 16 doubles, three triples, six house runs and 38 RBIs. He additionally scored 47 runs and completed with a .662 OPS.
Commercial
His season started with a second that instantly positioned him within the file ebook. Montgomery hit a walk-off house run towards Atlanta in his main league debut, turning into the fifth participant in MLB historical past to take action. Montgomery struggled within the postseason, hitting .130 with three hits, one double, and two RBIs throughout six video games. He struck out 12 instances in 23 at-bats, one space he might want to handle within the offseason.
Nonetheless, he drove in two runs throughout one in all Chicago’s largest postseason moments. Montgomery delivered a go-ahead double towards Cleveland in Sport 2 of the ALDS, serving to the White Sox take a 2-0 sequence lead earlier than the Guardians received the ultimate three video games.
Supervisor Will Venable continued to indicate confidence in Montgomery and defined what saved the rookie in Chicago’s lineup.
“Braden is a particular participant. He is a beneficial swap hitter, a extremely good defender, an excellent athlete and a giant piece of our lineup.
“He is a man that’s not going to shrink back from the second. As you are evaluating your greatest 9 on a given day, it isn’t simply what occurs on the plate. It is defensive potential. It is baserunning. Actually, the whole lot.”
Montgomery mentioned his supervisor’s assist meant quite a bit throughout an up-and-down rookie season.
“I respect him a lot for having that confidence in me, and meaning the world to me,” Montgomery mentioned. “I would run by way of a wall for Will.”
Montgomery spent one season at Texas A&M, hitting .322 with 27 house runs and 85 RBIs earlier than breaking his ankle in the course of the 2024 NCAA Tremendous Regional. Boston chosen him with the twelfth total choose and later traded him to Chicago as a part of the Garrett Crochet deal.
Commercial
He moved shortly by way of the minor leagues, hitting .314 with 10 house runs between Double-A and Triple-A earlier than incomes a promotion.
Montgomery ought to enter 2027 with an opportunity to remain an on a regular basis outfielder. His protection, athleticism and switch-hitting potential give Chicago causes to stay affected person. Enhancing his contact fee, manufacturing towards left-handed pitching and talent to show his uncooked energy into extra recreation manufacturing will decide how shortly he takes the following step.
Contact/Comply with us @AggiesWire on X and like our web page on Fb to observe ongoing protection of Texas A&M information, notes, and opinions. Comply with Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
This text initially appeared on Aggies Wire: How Braden Montgomery carried out throughout his White Sox rookie season
