Matt Johnson
The Chicago White Sox enter MLB games today with a 34-31 record, putting them within striking distance of first place in the American League Central. With playoff contention looking increasingly possible, a call-up of one of the top MLB prospects could be on the horizon.
According to Matt Snyder of CBS Sports, there are whispers that the White Sox are on the verge of calling up outfielder Barden Montgomery.
Related: MLB Trade Rumors Roundup, including White Sox
- Braden Montgomery stats (FanGraphs): .314/.422/.548, .970 OPS, 10 home run, 52 runs scored, 41 RBI in 258 plate appearances
Montgomery, age 23, was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox. Chicago acquired him in December 2024, along with Chase Meidroth and Kyle Teel, in exchange for Garrett Crochet.
Meidroth has already proven to be an outstanding addition by the White Sox front office. Through 237 at-bats this season, the 24-year-old infielder boasts a .274/.343/.392 triple-slash line with a .736 OPS and a 1.5 WAR. He’s emerging as a key piece of the White Sox lineup for years to come.
Braden Montgomery’s 2026 Season, Impact on White Sox
There is a bit of a split from evaluators on how good of a prospect Montgomery is. MLB Pipeline is the highest on him, rating him as the 21st-best prospect in baseball. However, FanGraphs ranks him as the 103rd-best prospect whereas Baseball America ranks 33rd overall in its June update.
Montgomery opened the season with Double-A Birmingham, where he put up a .313/.429/.606 triple-slash line with a 16.7 percent walk rate, 6 home runs, 22 RBI and a 1.035 OPS in 126 plate appearances. Since being promoted to Triple-A Charlotte, he’s hit 4 home runs with a .315/.417/.495 triple-slash line, a 13.6 percent walk rate and a .912 OPS.
It could prove to be another big boost for the White Sox lineup. Through 65 games, the club ranks ninth in runs scored (310), fifth in slugging (.414) and seventh in OBP (.327).
However, production from the outfield has been an issue. Chicago’s outfielders rank 18th in OPS (.706). If Montgomery can handle major-league pitching, his potential arrival could push the White Sox even closer to competing for a playoff spot this season.
