From basketball star to MLB record-breaker: the rise of Colson Montgomery
In short: Before he was a Major League shortstop, Colson Montgomery was a high school basketball legend. After being recruited by top universities for his skills on the court, he shifted his focus to baseball, eventually making an MLB debut that would see him shatter single-season strikeout records.
Born on February 27, 2002, in Holland, Indiana, Montgomery's athletic trajectory was not initially centered on baseball. During his time at Southridge High School, he was a standout in multiple sports, including football and basketball. In fact, he was a highly sought-after basketball recruit for programs like Purdue University and the University of Louisville. His dominance on the court was evident: he remains the all-time leading scorer in Southridge basketball history, having amassed 1,966 career points.
Montgomery's transition to professional baseball began in earnest in 2021. Following a stellar senior season where he led Southridge to their first IHSAA state championship, he participated in the inaugural MLB Draft Combine. The Chicago White Sox selected him in the first round, the 22nd overall pick, signing him to a $3 million bonus. His journey through the minor leagues saw him climb from the Arizona Complex League to Triple-A Charlotte before his much-anticipated Major League debut on July 4, 2025.
His rookie season with the White Sox was marked by significant power, including a grand slam on August 23 against Mick Abel of the Minnesota Twins. However, his 2026 campaign brought a different kind of statistical distinction. While he provided offensive value with 31 home runs and 87 RBI, he also set a new single-season record for strikeouts. On September 25, 2026, his 224th strikeout surpassed the previous record held by Mark Reynolds from 2009, and specifically for a left-handed hitter, it broke the mark previously held by Adam Dunn from 2012.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Colson Montgomery
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