Braden Montgomery
Center Fielder
6´2´´
220 pounds
Age: 22
2025 South Side Sox Top Prospect ranking 6
2025 High Level Birmingham (AA)
Age relative to high level years -1.8
SSS rank among all center fielders in the system 1
Overall 2025 stats (Low-A/High-A/AA) 121 games ⚾️ 12 HR ⚾️ 68 RBI ⚾️ .270/.360/.444 ⚾️ 57 BB ⚾️ 130 K ⚾️ 14-of-21 (66.7%) SB ⚾️ 1.000 FLD% ⚾️ 4.0 WAR
Braden Montgomery is a power-hitting outfielder with a cannon for an arm. His professional career began when the Boston Red Sox selected him in the First Round (No. 12) in the 2024 MLB Draft. However, his stay in Beantown was short-lived, as the BoSox traded him to Chicago in a blockbuster deal last December that centered around ace pitcher Garrett Crochet. The package also included prospects Chase Meidroth, Kyle Teel, and Wikelman Gonzalez.
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The 22-year-old switch-hitter established himself as a force to be reckoned with throughout his collegiate career. He showcased his versatility and power at both Stanford University (2022-23) and Texas A&M (2024). In College Station, his bat exploded, launching an impressive 27 home runs and solidifying his reputation as an elite power hitter. He racked up 17 awards throughout the 2024 season, including his ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-American selection. Montgomery also pitched a bit in college, although it is clear that the White Sox will not develop him on the pitching side.
Unfortunately for the superstar, his time at A&M concluded with a season-ending injury: Montgomery suffered a broken ankle diving into home plate during Game 1 of the Super Regionals against Oregon, sidelining him as his Aggies teammates advanced to the College World Series finals, where they ultimately fell to Tennessee. Before the injury, Montgomery’s talent had scouts buzzing, with projections placing him firmly in the Top 10 and as high as No. 8 in the 2024 draft.
Due to the ankle injury, Montgomery did not play professional ball after the draft. However, recognizing his potential, Chicago invited him to 2025 Spring Training, where he impressed in a small sample: .333/.556/.333 with a .889 OPS, three walks, and three Ks.
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Overall, scouts have been particularly impressed with Montgomery’s raw power, which is considered his standout tool. But his arsenal doesn’t stop there. He also boasts a truly elite arm, earning grades of 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. This prodigious arm strength, switch-hitting ability, and athletic frame paint the picture of a true five-tool talent. MLB Pipeline has him ranked as their No. 1 prospect within the system and No. 36 in the overall Top 100, highlighting his status as one of the game’s brightest young stars.
Montgomery finally got his first taste of professional action in 2025 after missing time post-draft due to his ankle injury, and the early returns were encouraging. Across 448 at-bats, he slashed .270/.360/.444 with a solid .804 OPS, adding 12 home runs and 68 RBI. While the over-the-fence power didn’t fully emerge in year one, his extra-base impact and on-base ability reinforced the strength of his offensive profile. Montgomery also demonstrated a mature approach at the plate, drawing 57 walks against 130 strikeouts — a respectable showing for a power-oriented hitter adjusting to professional pitching.
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Defensively, Montgomery proved to be just as valuable. Splitting time between center and right field, he showed off his athleticism and elite arm while committing just three errors in 177 total chances. His ability to handle center field speaks to his versatility, though his long-term home still projects to be right field, where his arm can be a true difference-maker.
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Perhaps most importantly, Montgomery was able to put together a largely healthy and productive first full professional season, answering early concerns following his collegiate ankle injury. His year was cut just short after suffering a fractured foot in early September, which sidelined him for the final week of the regular season and kept him out of Birmingham’s playoff run. While not an ideal finish, he did get some at-bats in the Arizona Fall League to wrap up the year. Over 12 AFL games, he slashed .366/527/.634 with a 1.161 OPS, one homer, 11 RBIs, and 13 walks in 41 at-bats.
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The Pale Hose are clearly banking on Montgomery’s potential to become a cornerstone of their future lineup, as his combination of power, arm strength, and overall athleticism gives Sox fans something to be excited about. He might indeed have the highest ceiling for a hitter in Chicago’s system.
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With a strong foundation now in place and a full season of development under his belt, Montgomery will open 2026 at Double-A, although if his bat continues to trend upward, he likely won’t be there for long and could possibly make his big league debut sooner rather than later.
Full 2026 South Side Sox Top 100 White Sox Prospects Storystream
2026 Top 100 Prospects no longer in the system
15. Peyton Pallette, RHRP (lost to Cleveland in the Rule 5 draft)
31. Gage Ziehl, RHSP (traded to Boston on Feb. 1, 2026)
43. Ronny Hernandez, C (traded to Boston on Nov. 18, 2025)
51. Drew Dalquist, RHRP (declared free agency, signed Triple-A deal with San Diego Padres)
66. Andre Lipcius, 1B (declared free agency)
84. Caleb Freeman, RHRP (declared free agency, signed Triple-A deal with Toronto Blue Jays)
90. DJ Gladney, RF (declared free agency, signed Double-A deal with New York Yankees)
98. Luis Pineda, C (declared free agency)
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