GLENDALE, Ariz. — Like almost everyone else – besides the White Sox front office – Colson Montgomery didn’t expect to be cut two and a half weeks before Opening Day. So it hit the 23-year-old shortstop prospect in the gut Tuesday.
But 24 hours later, Montgomery stood tall in the clubhouse on the Sox’ minor league side of camp, shaking off the bad news.
“A little bit of a surprise,” Montgomery said. “They gotta do what they have to do and I respect everything they said.”
Montgomery said general manager Chris Getz and others in the room told him to carry on with what he’s been doing. There were no specific instructions to change this or that, or improve on this or else and that it was only a matter of time before he would get called up.
“I’m not really stressing about it,” Montgomery said. “I mean, yeah, I was bummed for a couple hours. Once I woke up this morning I was like all right, I have to go to work, do the same thing and be a pro.”
Montgomery was, who owns a .253/.376/.414 hitting line with 192 walks and 37 homers in 316 minor league games, was 1-for-9 with a home run in his first game and five strikeouts. His defense, in the limited action he saw in games, fine.
“I’m going to keep the same mindset,” he said. “I’m not going to break down and be pissed and stuff like that. I’m going to get ready for my season.
“They know my potential and everything with the bat. And also I know my own potential also.”
As if he wanted a silver lining, Montgomery was told he wouldn’t have to deal with the cold Chicago March, April and May, but knowing a back issue resurfaced in camp, keeping him out of game action for 10 days, probably entered in the Sox’ decision.
Montgomery said the back is good, though.
“I feel ready and I don’t think any of that was a big deal with their decision,” he said. “I respect everything they said. I feel good. I’m ready to get after it here. Turn the page and just get ready for my season.”