Matt White

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #20 prospect in 2003
  The Red Sox were active in the major league Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings, picking up three players and losing two. The Tigers took lefthander Wil Ledezma and the Reds grabbed righthander Jerome Gamble, who would have figured into the upper half of this list. They still bear watching because both have histories of injuries and need to pitch rather than be buried on a big league roster, so Boston could get both of them back. Of the players they picked up, the Red Sox figure to keep Adrian Brown as a fifth outfielder and either White or Javier Lopez as a second bullpen lefty behind Alan Embree. White hit the wall as a starter in Double-A before switching to the bullpen last June, and the move gave the Massachusetts native's career new life. He posted a 2.14 ERA in relief and carried his success over in the Dominican League. As a starter, White's best pitch was his changeup and he regularly threw his fastball in the high 80s. As a reliever, he saw his stuff suddenly jump and the Red Sox think he can be more than just a one- or two-batter lefty specialist. White now works at 90- 93 mph and has more velocity on his slider, giving him multiple weapons to combat righthanders. He has improved control as well. White has added bulk in recent years, and Boston will work with him to loosen his delivery. The Indians liked him, but because they acquired so many prospects in 2002 they couldn't find room for him on their 40-man roster. Because he has a stronger repertoire, White has a better chance to stick than Lopez.