Young Star Makes Unfortunate MLB History Amid Rocky Season

Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery has had a season filled with confusion, culminating in a historic achievement. During Thursday's game, Montgomery went 0-for-4 against the Royals, striking out once—his 223rd strikeout of the season. With this record, Montgomery broke the Chicago White Sox's single-season record of 222 strikeouts held by Adam Dunn, and tied the MLB all-time single-season strikeout record set by Mark Reynolds.

Despite this alarming figure, Montgomery hasn't been entirely ineffective at the plate. He's a two-true outcomes player, hitting 31 home runs and driving in 87 runs. However, his on-base percentage stands at just .696. With 31 home runs, Montgomery ranks eighth in the American League, and his fielding, ranked in the top 10%, makes up for his subpar hitting.

He ranks in the top 3% in outs above average. Montgomery burst onto the scene in 2025, making his MLB debut just before the All-Star break. In his first season, he hit 21 homers and drove in 55 RBIs, although his strikeout problem remained. While he didn't earn accolades like Rookie of the Year or Silver Slugger, he was named to Baseball America's Major League All-Rookie Team.

This season, Montgomery's performance suggests he could be a key player for the White Sox for years to come, especially if he improves his discipline at the plate before the 2027 season. Should he do so, the postseason-bound White Sox could still be in contention and potentially challenge for the World Series with their talented young roster.