MINNEAPOLIS — Colson Montgomery is shortly garnering consideration across the league for his energy show on the plate and rangy protection at shortstop.
“Only a baller,” Twins star Byron Buxton stated of Montgomery. “It seems like he’s been within the league for a few years with a few of the at-bats you see him take. Even once I talked to him a bit of bit when he’s at quick, simply looks as if an enormous leaguer. He’s been one of many youthful guys that’s arising. It’s going to be enjoyable competing with him over the following few years.
“Clearly, competing [against] one another, you wish to be the one on high each time, however to see success like that early – and a man of that caliber – that’s particular.”
Regardless of his quick begin to his profession — he homered in 4 consecutive video games from Aug. 22 to Aug. 26 — Montgomery nonetheless has warts in his sport to enhance. He nonetheless strikes out too typically (28.4%), chases at a excessive fee (32.8%) and hasn’t proved adept at doing greater than hitting homers.
However provided that Montgomery, a 2021 first-round choose, appeared susceptible to not making the majors, him producing is a boon for the Sox. He was the second rookie in membership historical past to hit 10-plus homers in a month, becoming a member of Jose Abreu. Getting into Wednesday, Montgomery was fourth within the majors in residence runs (16) within the second half, trailing Kyle Schwarber (19), Shea Langeliers (17) and Junior Caminero (17).
Montgomery went 0-for-4 within the Sox’ 4-3 win over the Twins on Wednesday. He struck out twice on fastballs on the high of the zone. He’s nonetheless prone to whiffs, however his energy makes him a nightly risk within the Sox lineup. Is he garnering the identical consideration that Buxton instructions for the Twins?
“Most likely already,” Buxton stated, laughing. “However, yeah, he’s an athlete.”
Gomez finds the zone
Proper-hander Yoendrys Gomez sorely wanted his bounce-back efficiency in Wednesday’s win over the Twins. He threw 5 innings, permitting two runs (one earned) with 5 strikeouts and one stroll.
Gomez has plus stuff, however his drawback is that he doesn’t harness it and throw strikes, which ends up in excessive pitch counts and stroll charges. His 12.3% stroll fee is within the fourth percentile amongst major-league pitchers. In Gomez’s begin in opposition to the Yankees on Aug. 29, he walked six batters.
He navigated the fifth inning properly. With the Twins up 2-1, Gomez allowed a leadoff triple to Buxton, Gomez was in a position to escape the inning with none injury performed. That shutdown inning performed a job within the Sox having the ability to seize the win after Michael A. Taylor’s two-run double with two outs within the ninth.
“That’s at all times the mindset whenever you’re on the mound, simply attempt to maintain your staff within the sport,” Gomez stated of his strategy. “Right now we noticed the outcomes, the staff was in a position to rally late and we received the win.”
Roster strikes
• The Sox recalled right-hander Jonathan Cannon and lefty Tyler Gilbert from Triple-A Charlotte. The corresponding transfer was inserting lefty reliever Bryan Hudson on the 15-day injured record (decrease again pressure) and designating Bryse Wilson for project.
The Sox have 38 gamers on the 40-man roster.
