After just 71 games in the big leagues, Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery is already earning national respect — landing on a prestigious annual list from MLB Network.
Every offseason, MLB Network unveils its “Top 100 Right Now” list — a ranking of the best players in baseball heading into the upcoming season.
Is it arbitrary? Sure. But it’s still an honor. Being recognized on a national stage as one of the top players in your sport always carries weight.
And despite only playing in the big leagues for the second half of the 2025 season, Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery made the cut.
Each day through the end of the month, MLB Network is revealing the list in chunks, giving every player their moment in the spotlight. On Tuesday evening, players ranked No. 100 through No. 81 were released — and Montgomery checked in at No. 88 overall.
That ranking puts him ahead of established names like Brent Rooker, Hunter Goodman, Carlos Rodón, and reigning National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin.
Montgomery also landed just two spots behind Giants shortstop Willy Adames — who signed a $182 million contract — and only six spots behind the legendary Mike Trout.
Again, it’s an arbitrary list. But for the White Sox to have a 23-year-old shortstop already viewed at that level, and one who appears poised to be on the South Side for a long time, speaks volumes about the excitement building around this team.
Montgomery is the first White Sox player to appear on MLB Network’s Top 100 since Luis Robert Jr. following the 2023 season.
Robert peaked at No. 27 that year — a testament to the trajectory he was on before a sudden drop-off derailed things. The White Sox are hoping he can reclaim some of that form after exercising his $20 million club option for the 2026 season.
As for Montgomery, a full season in the majors could officially put him on the map as one of the best young shortstops in all of baseball — especially if he continues anything close to the pace he set during his rookie campaign.
He didn’t hit his first career home run until July 22. Somehow, he still finished the season with 21 home runs.
After the All-Star break, Montgomery was one of the most dangerous power bats and most productive run-producers in the sport.
Over a full 162-game season, that pace translates to 48 home runs and 125 RBIs. Obviously, that’s an absurd expectation — and not a fair one. But it does highlight just how electric Montgomery was as a rookie.
And that’s without even mentioning where he came from.
Less than a year ago, Montgomery was struggling badly in the minors — to the point where he was pulled from game action entirely for a full reset. What followed was one of the most remarkable turnarounds the White Sox have seen in years.
Now, he’s a Top 100 player in baseball.