Braden Montgomery used his power to provide one of the most memorable moments of the White Sox season when he marked his June 9 major-league debut with a walk-off home run against the Braves.
Other than that, Montgomery’s muscle has largely been absent. Entering Saturday, Montgomery was slugging .409 with a 58.1% ground ball percentage and pulling the ball at only a 26.7% rate.
The Sox are still confident Montgomery’s power will re-emerge.
“To see him go out there and grind and use the whole field is awesome,” manager Will Venable said. “But there’s a version of him which is exciting, which he’s going to be pulling the ball hard in the air and doing some damage. He’s going to work toward that but for right now, he’s in a good spot.”
That he is, and there are even some signs the power is creeping back.
Montgomery had three hits Friday night, and over his last eight games was slashing .344/.382/.563 with a home run, two doubles and a triple. Venable said Montgomery is being more athletic with his lower half, allowing him to meet the ball.
“We’re seeing a lot of quality at-bats from Braden and it’s really about him working to get on time,” Venable said. “He’s just got such aptitude and works so hard. It’s been really cool to watch him figure out what adjustments he needs to make and then go out and do it.”
Help from below?
The Sox are expected to add pitching before the Aug. 3 trade deadline to bolster a staff that entered Saturday 11th in baseball with a 4.13 ERA but with clear needs in both the rotation and bullpen.
They will also need reinforcements from within their system, and there are pitchers in the minors who have contributed to the Sox. Drew Thorpe is working his way back from 2025 Tommy John surgery, Jonathan Cannon pitched six innings of one-run ball Friday for Triple-A Charlotte and 2025 All-Star and this year’s Opening Day starter Shane Smith is also in Charlotte.
Those are just three examples of potential additions but any new blood would have to be sharp if called upon.
“It’s really important we get those guys dialed in,” Venable said.
When there’s a Will…
The Sox are in the American League playoff race but that isn’t impacting how Venable is managing the team.
Venable said he and the Sox are trying to find a path to win every game, and that the first game of the year is just as important as the rest that have followed.
“We are just going out and trying to find a way, so nothing has changed other than where we are at currently, which we know doesn’t mean a whole lot,” Venable said. “Right now, we are just focused on what we can do to win tonight and that’s the same as any other day this season.”
Crisis averted
Double-A Birmingham infielder Caleb Bonemer, the Sox’ top prospect and 16th overall per MLB Pipeline, did not suffer a concussion when he was hit in the head with a pitch during the third inning Friday night.
Bonemer, however, was not in the Barons’ starting lineup Saturday.