- Full name Matthew Edward White
- Born 09/13/1978 in Waynesboro, PA
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Waynesboro (Pa.) Area HS
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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After shoulder surgery in May 2001, White began his rehabilitation in extended spring in 2002 before reporting to low Class A in June. He made 10 solid starts before earning a promotion and battling consistency with his command in Double-A. The Rays continue to hope to get something for their $10.2 million investment, a bonus that remains the largest ever for an amateur player. For that to happen, White will need to continue to reinvent himself. Once a power pitcher who blew away hitters with his mid-90s heat, he rarely broke 90 mph with his fastball last season. His sharp-breaking power curveball remains his best offering, and his changeup has the potential to be an above-average pitch. In addition to fine-tuning his repertoire, White must find consistency with his mechanics and discover the nuances of being a finesse pitcher, which include spotting his pitches, working both sides of the plate and altering the batter's eye level. He also must continue to improve his arm strength. Prior to the shoulder injury, White entered spring training in 2001 with a chance to earn a job in the Tampa Bay rotation. The Rays hope he will start this year in Triple-A and show enough progress to merit a promotion in 2003. -
Tampa Bay entered the 2001 season expecting White to make a strong push for the rotation. Instead, he faltered in spring training and lost his five decisions in Triple-A because of poor mechanics. His altered delivery was the result of shoulder pain that required arthroscopic surgery on May 31. He didn't pitch again in 2001. White has the tools to be an effective pitcher in the big leagues. He throws a mid-90s fastball with average movement, along with a plus overhand power curve. He's an intelligent pitcher who has matured in all phases of his game. Inconsistent mechanics have been White's downfall throughout his career. When his delivery gets off track, his entire game can suffer. He also tends to fall in love with his curveball instead of using his fastball to set it up. White has yet to provide much of a return on the $10.2 million Tampa Bay invested in him when he was a draft free agent in 1996. The Devil Rays are confident, however, that won't be the case much longer. He's expected to be close to full strength by Opening Day and could finally reach the big leagues in 2002. -
Inconsistency and a cracked vertebra in his back made White look like a $10.2 million bust during his first three professional seasons. That outlook changed in 2000 when the former loophole free agent experienced his first significant success. He was among the finalists for the U.S. Olympic team but didn't make the final roster. White showed signs of learning how to pitch last season. He displayed more confidence and did a better job of mixing his pitches. He features a fastball in the mid-90s and a plus overhand power curve. White has a complex delivery and his mechanics can get untracked, which throws off his entire approach. Even when he's sound, he must work off his fastball instead of relying on his curveball when things get tough. Because his fastball has little movement, he needs to work the corners instead of the middle of the plate. White showed added maturity while experiencing success at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels. The Devil Rays would like to see him further establish himself at Durham in 2001. -
Background: The good news for White in 1998 was that he took the ball for all 29 starts, threw 173 pain-free innings and had a productive instructional league to end the season. The bad news was that White finished the year with an 8-11, 4.68 record against Class A hitters he should have dominated with raw ability. An exchange with a scout in mid-July summarized White's season: Writer: "How did White throw last night?" Scout: "Awesome, mid-90s fastball with a plus curveball. He even showed a better change than I thought he had." Writer: "How'd he pitch?" Scout: "Horrible, everything was out over the plate and he was knocked out in the fourth inning. Go figure." Strengths: White has No. 1 starter stuff, with a 95-96 mph fastball, a power curveball and a straight changeup. He's also always been able to throw strikes with all his pitches and his 63 walks in 1998 were outstanding for a then 19-year-old power pitcher. Aside from some minor back problems caused by pitching mechanics in 1997, White has always been completely healthy. The physical package is pretty complete. Weaknesses: White has a tendency to drop his release point and throw flat, middle of the plate fastballs instead of staying on top of the ball and pitching with a downward plane to the bottom of the strike zone. He also needs to develop more aggression on the mound and get hitters off the plate, especially when he is struggling with the rythym and feel of his release point. The Devil Rays feel White could improve his physical conditioning. The Future: Tampa Bay officials speak in glowing terms about White's talent and show no concern over his struggles aside from classifying them as "typical things young power pitchers go through." White will likely start 1999 in Double-A with the core of the organization's top pitching prospects. The Devil Rays have continually stressed that they feel the future of the organization is in their young pitching talent and it is doubtful that they will risk the future of their crown jewel by moving him too far too quickly.
Minor League Top Prospects
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A mid-90s fastball is where it all starts with White, the $10.2-million bonus signee. White also features a power curveball and straight changeup, but it's his fastball that is both his best friend and enemy. White's habit of throwing strikes in the hitting zone sometimes nullifies his mid-90s power, leading to too many hits. "It doesn't matter how hard you throw if it's down the middle," Meleski said. "He has to throw his curveball for strikes. But he's 6-foot-5, 230 pounds and throws 95-96 mph. That's where it starts. You develop the rest." Managers said White still has plenty of time. "He's got all the raw ability--the velocity, a good changeup, great makeup," Silver said. "He's really handled the pressure well, better than I would."
