This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CHICAGO -- Colson Montgomery looked genuinely confused when I put forth the following question prior to Thursday’s series finale for his White Sox at Target Field.
“You heard the great things Byron Buxton said about you, right?” I asked, with true certainty in my voice.
Montgomery had not heard a single word of praise from the Twins’ All-Star center fielder, and he couldn’t be blamed for missing out. With his extra infield work and pregame preparation continuing to help him make a demonstrative difference at the plate, he’s just a little bit busy.
So, I paraphrased the sentiment in the moment. But here’s Buxton’s exact words to the Twins media during the White Sox four-game sweep in Minneapolis, the first of its kind for the South Siders since the Twins came to Minnesota.
“Just a baller. He goes up there and he takes great at-bats, quality at-bats,” said Buxton of Montgomery. “Honestly, it looks like he’s been in the league for a couple of years with some of the at-bats you see him take. How he carries himself, even when I talked to him a little bit when he’s at short, just seems like a big leaguer.
“He’s been one of the guys, younger guys I should say, that is coming up. It’s going to be fun competing with him over the next few years.”
Buxton wants to beat Montgomery every time he faces him, as a prime AL Central rival. But he added, “To see success like that early -- and a guy of that caliber -- that’s special.”
Special describes one of the ways the 23-year-old White Sox shortstop felt when apprised of Buxton’s comments.
“It’s pretty sick,” Montgomery said. “Somebody like him, who has been around the league, the accomplishments he’s had, he’s awesome, great player. It’s pretty cool to hear that from him.
“Veterans like that, it’s so cool how they just show respect to even rookies. He could easily not really say anything to me. Guys like that are very motivating.”
Guys such as Buxton reinforce the point to Montgomery how he’s a very successful big leaguer across just two months of action since July 4. Buxton’s assessment was not the first meeting of the mutual admiration society between these two.
That original session ran from Aug. 22-24 when the Twins were at Rate Field. It began with Buxton’s request for Montgomery to sign one of Montgomery’s cards and ended with Montgomery getting a signed Buxton bat in trade. Here’s how the exchange took place, per Montgomery.
“I signed that card, and I jokingly said to the visiting clubby, 'Ask him if I can get a signed bat?'” said a smiling Montgomery. “He was like, ‘You want me to ask him?’ I was like, ‘Sure. Why not?' He sent it over. It was cool.
“He does everything. He flies, he’s a great defender. At the plate, too, he’s got one of those aura things where they step to the box, and you are like, ‘All right, something might happen here.’ It’s pretty sick.”
An aura has developed around Montgomery, albeit through 51 games. In the ninth inning of Thursday’s 11-8 victory, Montgomery launched a Statcast-projected 454-foot home run to right field, marking his second home run this season beyond 450 feet and making him the lone rookie to do such a thing this season.
His .686 slugging percentage against breaking pitches, per Statcast entering Friday’s series opener in Detroit, ranks second in MLB with a minimum of 50 plate appearances ending in breaking balls. His 18 home runs since the All-Star break rank first in the American League.
Getting recognized by Buxton is a pleasant surprise, but Buxton is not the only veteran Montgomery has engaged in conversation on the field. That list includes Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos.
“Just small talk,” said Montgomery, scoffing and laughing at the notion of giving power hitting advice to Judge. “Those guys, it’s pretty cool when you hear them say, ‘Keep swinging it’ and things like that. Game recognizes game, so it’s pretty cool. … You can learn a lot from watching veterans, even on other teams.”
“You’re seeing him really enjoy this stage,” said White Sox director of hitting Ryan Fuller of Montgomery. “So, looking at it from where he was to where he is now is a whole lot of fun to watch, but a ton of credit to him.”