Like almost everyone else — besides the White Sox front office — Colson Montgomery didn’t expect to be cut two and a half weeks before Opening Day. So it hit the 23-year-old shortstop prospect in the gut Tuesday.

Colson Montgomery’s development will continue in the minors after the Chicago White Sox optioned their 2021 first-round pick to Triple-A Charlotte.

Colson Montgomery will not break camp as the White Sox starting shortstop or as part of their Opening Day roster this year, after the No. 39 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte prior to the club's 7-5 loss to the Padres on Tuesday.

Thought to stand a good chance of making the Opening Day roster, the shortstop's major league debut will have to wait.

The White Sox announced that top shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery has been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

Colson Montgomery got a chance to test his range right away Sunday when Cleveland Guardians leadoff batter Steven Kwan hit a popup in the shortstop’s direction at Goodyear Ballpark. “(The ball) finds you,