Montgomery, Colas make first 2023 Top 100 Prospect Rankings

Montgomery – who started appearing on Baseball America’s prospect lists early last year, fell from #35 in the rankings from mid-season to #39, while Colas rose from those same mid-year rankings from #91 up to #89. Overall, though, there was not much movement for either of these players compared to where they stood around August of last year.

Here are Baseball America’s breakdowns for both Montgomery and Colas.

Colson Montgomery

Tools: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

“Montgomery enjoyed an excellent full-season debut in 2022, reaching Double-A and running a 50-game on-base streak over one stretch of the season. Montgomery has a well-rounded skill set with an above-average combination of hit and power, as well as above-average defensive ability.”

Montgomery will enter his age-21 season next year, and will likely get to start at AA Birmingham. Across Low-A, High-A, and AA last season, Montgomery hit .274/.381/.429 with 11 home runs, and really didn’t show too many signs of struggling until he tired towards the end of the season with Birmingham (.146/.192/.292 in 52 plate appearances). With refreshed legs and sights set on the big leagues in the not-too-distant future, it wouldn’t be out of the possibility that Montgomery sees some time in the majors by the end of the 2024 season if all goes well in the minors this year.

Oscar Colas

Tools: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60

“Colas is the next in a long line of intriguing Cuban prospects the White Sox have signed. After playing three years in Japan, his 2022 MiLB debut showed he was nearly MLB ready, as he hit for average and power at three levels.”

Colas, on the other hand, looks pretty set to open the 2023 season as the White Sox’ starting right fielder. He had a very strong year offensively and defensively across High-A, AA, and AAA, hitting a combined .314/.371/.524 with 23 home runs. He doesn’t have much left to prove in the minor leagues, and will likely receive the majority of his playing time in 2023 in the major leagues.

Baseball America ranks the White Sox’ top 10 prospects as follows:

1. Colson Montgomery
2. Oscar Colas
3. Bryan Ramos
4. Noah Schultz
5. Sean Burke
6. Christian Mena
7. Peyton Pallette
8. Norge Vera
9. Jose Rodriguez
10. Lenyn Sosa