Former Texas A&M outfielder Braden Montgomery’s first major league season ended in the American League Division Series, but his rookie year gave the Chicago White Sox another young player to build around.
Montgomery appeared in 93 regular-season games after Chicago promoted him from Triple-A Charlotte in June. He hit .226 with a .312 on-base percentage, 73 hits, 16 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 38 RBIs. He also scored 47 runs and finished with a .662 OPS.
His season began with a moment that immediately placed him in the record book. Montgomery hit a walk-off home run against Atlanta in his major league debut, becoming the fifth player in MLB history to do so. Montgomery struggled in the postseason, hitting .130 with three hits, one double, and two RBIs across six games. He struck out 12 times in 23 at-bats, one area he will need to address in the offseason.
However, he drove in two runs during one of Chicago’s biggest postseason moments. Montgomery delivered a go-ahead double against Cleveland in Game 2 of the ALDS, helping the White Sox take a 2-0 series lead before the Guardians won the final three games.
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Manager Will Venable continued to show confidence in Montgomery and explained what kept the rookie in Chicago’s lineup.
“Braden is a special player. He’s a valuable switch hitter, a really good defender, a great athlete and a big piece of our lineup.
“He’s a guy that is not going to shy away from the moment. As you’re evaluating your best nine on a given day, it’s not just what happens at the plate. It’s defensive ability. It’s baserunning. Really, everything.”
Montgomery said his manager’s support meant a lot during an up-and-down rookie season.
“I respect him so much for having that confidence in me, and that means the world to me,” Montgomery said. “I’d run through a wall for Will.”
Montgomery spent one season at Texas A&M, hitting .322 with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs before breaking his ankle during the 2024 NCAA Super Regional. Boston selected him with the 12th overall pick and later traded him to Chicago as part of the Garrett Crochet deal.
He moved quickly through the minor leagues, hitting .314 with 10 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A before earning a promotion.
Montgomery should enter 2027 with a chance to stay an everyday outfielder. His defense, athleticism and switch-hitting ability give Chicago reasons to remain patient. Improving his contact rate, production against left-handed pitching and ability to turn his raw power into more game production will determine how quickly he takes the next step.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: How Braden Montgomery performed during his White Sox rookie season