Colson Montgomery’s breakout season has earned national recognition.

The White Sox shortstop was named one of MLB Network’s Top 100 Players Right Now, checking in at No. 88 on the list. It marks the first time since 2024 that a White Sox player has appeared in the rankings and underscores Montgomery’s rapid rise after a standout rookie campaign.

Despite appearing in just 71 games, Montgomery ranked second on the team with 21 home runs and finished fourth with 55 RBIs. In his first 255 at-bats, he also posted a .840 OPS, fueled largely by his .529 slugging percentage. While he showed flashes of power in the minor leagues, the extent of his early-season surge came as a bit of a shock, particularly given his elevated strikeout rates at the Triple-A level.

At just 23 years old, Montgomery also made franchise history, becoming the youngest player in White Sox history to hit at least 10 home runs in an 18-game span. His performance helped him finish fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting, capping off a promising opening act for the former first-round pick.

But whether Montgomery just had a hot streak or is truly a top-100 claiber player is yet to be seen.

Pitchers are expected to adjust to Montgomery moving forward. He finished the season with a 29% strikeout rate and a modest 8.8% walk rate, and he has never been known as a high-average hitter. He also showed a tendency to chase pitches outside the strike zone.

Projections for 2026 suggest a modest regression in power, with Montgomery expected to hit 19 home runs and drive in 56 runs. At the same time, he is projected to improve his plate discipline, with just 85 strikeouts and a .252/.325/.487 slash line.

While those numbers may not match his 2025 power surge, they still point to a higher batting average, an OPS north of .800, and steady overall production. When paired with the defense he showed at shortstop last season, Montgomery profiles as a legitimate impact player.

Montgomery’s inclusion comes after the White Sox had no players in the Top 100 last season, following the trade of Garrett Crochet, who had been ranked 56th. The last time Chicago placed players on the list was after the 2023 season, when Luis Robert Jr. ranked 27th, and Dylan Cease came in at 92, though Cease was dealt to the Padres before the start of the 2024 season.

Robert still has the talent to return to the Top 100, but he will need to rebound after two down seasons in which he posted a 1.4 WAR each year, tying career lows. With Robert’s name circulating in trade rumors, the White Sox are hoping he can rediscover his All-Star form to help boost his trade value.