Montgomery guided by 'inner clock' in push to master shortstop

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Colson Montgomery can hit, and hit for power.

That part was proven during his 2025 rookie campaign, when the left-handed hitter knocked out 21 home runs over 71 games following his July 4 debut. But the focus today is on Montgomery’s defense, following a strong showing at shortstop that was slightly better than expected from some people other than the 23-year-old.

Based on his astute comments during Saturday morning’s media scrum in front of his Camelback Ranch locker, Montgomery holds a veteran understanding of this specific discipline within the game.

“I thought my defense was pretty good last year,” Montgomery said. “It was just me challenging myself and, like, my pregame routines and stuff, and me and [third-base and infield coach Justin Jirschele] and some of the other guys put together a really good routine before the game of what to do and some checklist things.

“In the offseason, I went in and continued the same thing. Defense is an effort thing too, and more of a mindset thing. So in my head, it’s like anything hit in my general direction I’m going to get, I’m going to go after.”

Montgomery played 60 games at shortstop for the ‘25 White Sox, committing four errors for a .982 fielding percentage and racking up 7 defensive runs saved, per Baseball Reference. He also had a +7 OAA per Statcast, which is impressive even with a smaller sample size.

“It was the consistency of the routine plays,” said assistant general manager Josh Barfield of Montgomery’s defense. “That’s something you always hope from your shortstop -- the ability to make the routine plays. He did such a good job of that. And then being such a stud athlete, he was able to make some plays that most guys on the field can’t make.

“The throwing is something he worked on in the Minor Leagues, the consistency there, the carry. But it was never an issue in the big leagues. He made throws from different arm angles, from off balance. I have a lot of appreciation because I know how hard it is to play shortstop in the big leagues, and he made it look easy oftentimes.”

Arm strength is not an issue in Montgomery’s mind. But working daily on the intangibles, such as managing that internal clock on plays, is important to an ongoing steadiness at shortstop.

“Reading how hard the ball is hit to you and doing your scouting on the runner, that’s one of the first things that Jirsch tells us,” Montgomery said. “There’s a guy that really gets out of the box well, you only have one or two shuffles and you gotta get rid of the ball.

“That’s more what I prioritize is the inner clock. I feel like if I catch the ball and I get rid of it as soon as I can, it doesn’t matter how hard I throw the ball. It’s different if you are deep in the six hole and have to really go on one … I just think it’s adjusting and adapting to the game.”

BALDWIN EMBRACES VERSATILITY
With Luis Robert Jr. gone to the Mets, center field is an open spot for the White Sox for the first time in seven years. Brooks Baldwin has a chance to lay claim to on-field time, but the talented switch-hitter, who has played every spot but first base, pitcher and catcher in his 136 big league games, leans toward the positional versatility.

“If I get stuck to one or two positions, that’s fine by me, but having versatility is something I’m still working on,” Baldwin told MLB.com. “I do like moving around. You know, it just gives you more opportunity.

“It’s something I’ve done since I was 5 or 6 years old, playing all over the field. It’s more of not really being comfortable but something I’m more used to.”

ARRIVING SHORTLY
Lenyn Sosa and Luisangel Acuña are expected in camp Sunday, when position players officially report. Sosa and his wife just welcomed a baby, leading to the slight delay. Everyone else has arrived in Glendale.