Drafted in the 2nd round (55th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2018 (signed for $1,500,000).
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White has been on scouts' radars for some time now, as he emerged on the national scene a few years ago with impressive stuff and a projectable, athletic frame. Prior to last fall, the 6-foot-3 righthander had fallen off a bit with his velocity and evaluators wondered if he would ever return to the form that had allowed him to stand out in previous years. White removed all doubt, however, when he re-found his electric stuff and preformed well at the Wilson Premier Class, where he threw a complete game, one-hit shutout with a fastball in the low 90s, a sharp curveball and feel for a changeup. A few weeks later, at Perfect Game's World Wood Bat Association World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., White threw another seven-inning shutout with 13 strikeouts and no walks, holding his fastball velocity into the final innings. White re-established himself as one of the more exciting prep arms in the 2018 class with his fall outings last year, and has been equally electric this spring at Carson High in China Grove, N.C. He's been up to 95 with his fastball, sitting more in the 91-93 mph range with an above-average curveball and a changeup that scouts are dreaming on thanks to White's athleticism. In addition to a curveball, White has also experimented with a slider that has a chance to be an above-average breaking pitch down the line. Committed to South Carolina, White is expected to be a tough sign, but could go as high as the supplemental first round or early in the second.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Track Record: Almost since the moment he was drafted, White's development has been stagnated. The Rangers rested him post-draft, he missed the 2019 season with Tommy John surgery and then lost 2020 to the pandemic. His 2021 season was limited to just 35.1 innings by a broken hand suffered during his first start of the season. He made up for lost time by pitching in the Arizona Fall League, where he was named the league's pitcher of the year. The 2022 season was White's fullest yet, but he still missed two months of the second half at Double-A Frisco with fatigue in his pitching arm. White returned for the Texas League playoffs and struck out all six hitters he faced in Frisco's championship-clinching win.
Scouting Report: Despite pitching just 113.2 innings since being drafted in 2018, White has established himself as the clear top arm in Texas' system. He boasts a full four-pitch complement, led by a mid-90s fastball that peaked at 98 mph and grades as plus despite just average shape. White's best offspeed pitch is a mid-80s slider with excellent spin and shape that got chases at rate of nearly 39%. His slider is followed closely by a curveball that averages nearly 3,000 rpms of spin and shows powerful downer break in the high 70s. Though his changeup is the fourth pitch in his arsenal, White throws it for plenty of strikes and scouts believe it could get to an average offering. He also throws a low-90s two-seamer, but it isn't a featured part of his mix. White ties everything together with plus control and a fierce competitive streak that draws raves throughout the organization.
The Future: After closing the year in Double-A, White will likely move to Triple-A Round Rock to begin 2023 and could push for a callup by season's end. He was added to the 40-man roster in November.
Track Record: Although White was drafted in 2018, he didn’t make his official pro debut until 2021. He was rested post-draft in 2018, missed 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and then lost 2020 to the coronavirus pandemic. His 2021 season was shortened after he broke his hand during the opening start of the season and didn’t return until August before shining down the stretch and again in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: During his time rehabbing his broken hand, White evolved. He tweaked the grip on his four-seam fastball to give it more true riding action, and the results showed in the data. His mid-90s four-seamer posted a truly elite swing-and-miss rate of nearly 46% and showed strong spin rates and movement patterns. White also throws two-seam and cut fastballs to give him an array of pitches that move in different directions. He backs up the fastballs with a full mix of curveball, slider and changeup. Both breaking balls show promising analytical qualities but still need refinement. He worked this year to throw his high-70s curveball for strikes and chases, and he’s trying to become more consistent in general with the way he throws his low-80s slider. His changeup, thrown in the mid 80s, has excellent separation from his fastball and projects as average.
The Future: White was excellent in the AFL, where he was mostly making up as much lost time as possible. He’ll move to High-A next year and is one of the system’s most promising pitching prospects.
TRACK RECORD: The Rangers drafted White in the second round in 2018 and gave him an above-slot $1.5 million to pass up a South Carolina commitment. To date, that is the most noteworthy part of his professional career. White has not pitched in an official game in three seasons since signing. The Rangers rested him after the draft and he blew out his elbow in 2019, requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. He did return to pitch in 2020 instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite the missed time, White has starter written all over him. He features a fourpitch mix topped by a fastball that sat 93-97 mph during instructs. His best offspeed pitch is a 78-80 mph curveball with plus potential, and he throws an 83-87 mph slider and 84-87 mph changeup that flash average. Best of all, he throws a lot of strikes. He was a terrific prep athlete who is learning to repeat his delivery. He also fields his position well and keeps runners close.
THE FUTURE: The Rangers plan to send White to low Class A Hickory to open 2021. As he continues to develop his body and gain reps, his ceiling could be a mid-rotation starter.
Track Record: The Rangers had a pitching-heavy draft in 2018, and after selecting righthander Cole Winn with their first-round pick, the Rangers drafted White in the second round. He signed for $1.5 million, though he didn't pitch after signing as the Rangers took it slowly with their high school arms.
Scouting Report: A high school quarterback, White is an excellent athlete for a pitcher. He has clean arm action and fast arm speed that produces a fastball in the low-90s and up to 96. He's still skinny, with enough room on his frame that he might be able to throw harder once he adds more weight. He throws strikes with his fastball to get ahead of hitters and can miss bats with his curveball, which flashes above-average, and while he used a slider as well in high school, he didn't show that pitch after signing at instructional league. White has a changeup but hasn't needed to throw it much yet. White's bouncy athleticism shows in the way he gets off the mound quickly to field his position.
The Future: White likely will follow the path of Hans Crouse and Cole Ragans by pitching in short-season Spokane in 2019.
Draft Prospects
White has been on scouts' radars for some time now, as he emerged on the national scene a few years ago with impressive stuff and a projectable, athletic frame. Prior to last fall, the 6-foot-3 righthander had fallen off a bit with his velocity and evaluators wondered if he would ever return to the form that had allowed him to stand out in previous years. White removed all doubt, however, when he re-found his electric stuff and preformed well at the Wilson Premier Class, where he threw a complete game, one-hit shutout with a fastball in the low 90s, a sharp curveball and feel for a changeup. A few weeks later, at Perfect Game's World Wood Bat Association World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., White threw another seven-inning shutout with 13 strikeouts and no walks, holding his fastball velocity into the final innings. White re-established himself as one of the more exciting prep arms in the 2018 class with his fall outings last year, and has been equally electric this spring at Carson High in China Grove, N.C. He's been up to 95 with his fastball, sitting more in the 91-93 mph range with an above-average curveball and a changeup that scouts are dreaming on thanks to White's athleticism. In addition to a curveball, White has also experimented with a slider that has a chance to be an above-average breaking pitch down the line. Committed to South Carolina, White is expected to be a tough sign, but could go as high as the supplemental first round or early in the second.
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Track Record: Almost since the moment he was drafted, White's development has been stagnated. The Rangers rested him post-draft, he missed the 2019 season with Tommy John surgery and then lost 2020 to the pandemic. His 2021 season was limited to just 35.1 innings by a broken hand suffered during his first start of the season. He made up for lost time by pitching in the Arizona Fall League, where he was named the league's pitcher of the year. The 2022 season was White's fullest yet, but he still missed two months of the second half at Double-A Frisco with fatigue in his pitching arm. White returned for the Texas League playoffs and struck out all six hitters he faced in Frisco's championship-clinching win.
Scouting Report: Despite pitching just 113.2 innings since being drafted in 2018, White has established himself as the clear top arm in Texas' system. He boasts a full four-pitch complement, led by a mid-90s fastball that peaked at 98 mph and grades as plus despite just average shape. White's best offspeed pitch is a mid-80s slider with excellent spin and shape that got chases at rate of nearly 39%. His slider is followed closely by a curveball that averages nearly 3,000 rpms of spin and shows powerful downer break in the high 70s. Though his changeup is the fourth pitch in his arsenal, White throws it for plenty of strikes and scouts believe it could get to an average offering. He also throws a low-90s two-seamer, but it isn't a featured part of his mix. White ties everything together with plus control and a fierce competitive streak that draws raves throughout the organization.
The Future: After closing the year in Double-A, White will likely move to Triple-A Round Rock to begin 2023 and could push for a callup by season's end. He was added to the 40-man roster in November.
Track Record: Almost since the moment he was drafted, White's development has been stagnated. The Rangers rested him post-draft, he missed the 2019 season with Tommy John surgery and then lost 2020 to the pandemic. His 2021 season was limited to just 35.1 innings by a broken hand suffered during his first start of the season. He made up for lost time by pitching in the Arizona Fall League, where he was named the league's pitcher of the year. The 2022 season was White's fullest yet, but he still missed two months of the second half at Double-A Frisco with fatigue in his pitching arm. White returned for the Texas League playoffs and struck out all six hitters he faced in Frisco's championship-clinching win.
Scouting Report: Despite pitching just 113.2 innings since being drafted in 2018, White has established himself as the clear top arm in Texas' system. He boasts a full four-pitch complement, led by a mid-90s fastball that peaked at 98 mph and grades as plus despite just average shape. White's best offspeed pitch is a mid-80s slider with excellent spin and shape that got chases at rate of nearly 39%. His slider is followed closely by a curveball that averages nearly 3,000 rpms of spin and shows powerful downer break in the high 70s. Though his changeup is the fourth pitch in his arsenal, White throws it for plenty of strikes and scouts believe it could get to an average offering. He also throws a low-90s two-seamer, but it isn't a featured part of his mix. White ties everything together with plus control and a fierce competitive streak that draws raves throughout the organization.
The Future: After closing the year in Double-A, White will likely move to Triple-A Round Rock to begin 2023 and could push for a callup by season's end. He was added to the 40-man roster in November.
Midseason Update: White started the year slowly, but a tweak in his approach helped him return to the dominant form he showed in 2021 at Low-A Down East and in a particularly standout showing in the Arizona Fall League. His breaking balls became much crisper, which helped unlock the rest of his standout arsenal. He can go north and south with his four-seam fastball and curveball or he can go east and west his two-seamer and slider. A firm changeup rounds out his mix. He has excellent command of his whole mix, and there are scouts who believe he could be in the Rangers' rotation at some point in 2023. Track Record: Although White was drafted in 2018, he didn't make his official pro debut until 2021. He was rested post-draft in 2018, missed 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and then lost 2020 to the coronavirus pandemic. His 2021 season was shortened after he broke his hand during the opening start of the season and didn't return until August before shining down the stretch and again in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: During his time rehabbing his broken hand, White evolved. He tweaked the grip on his four-seam fastball to give it more true riding action, and the results showed in the data. His mid-90s four-seamer posted a truly elite swing-and-miss rate of nearly 46% and showed strong spin rates and movement patterns. White also throws two-seam and cut fastballs to give him an array of pitches that move in different directions. He backs up the fastballs with a full mix of curveball, slider and changeup. Both breaking balls show promising analytical qualities but still need refinement. He worked this year to throw his high-70s curveball for strikes and chases, and he's trying to become more consistent in general with the way he throws his low-80s slider. His changeup, thrown in the mid 80s, has excellent separation from his fastball and projects as average.
The Future: White was excellent in the AFL, where he was mostly making up as much lost time as possible. He'll move to High-A next year and is one of the system's most promising pitching prospects.
Track Record: Although White was drafted in 2018, he didn’t make his official pro debut until 2021. He was rested post-draft in 2018, missed 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and then lost 2020 to the coronavirus pandemic. His 2021 season was shortened after he broke his hand during the opening start of the season and didn’t return until August before shining down the stretch and again in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: During his time rehabbing his broken hand, White evolved. He tweaked the grip on his four-seam fastball to give it more true riding action, and the results showed in the data. His mid-90s four-seamer posted a truly elite swing-and-miss rate of nearly 46% and showed strong spin rates and movement patterns. White also throws two-seam and cut fastballs to give him an array of pitches that move in different directions. He backs up the fastballs with a full mix of curveball, slider and changeup. Both breaking balls show promising analytical qualities but still need refinement. He worked this year to throw his high-70s curveball for strikes and chases, and he’s trying to become more consistent in general with the way he throws his low-80s slider. His changeup, thrown in the mid 80s, has excellent separation from his fastball and projects as average.
The Future: White was excellent in the AFL, where he was mostly making up as much lost time as possible. He’ll move to High-A next year and is one of the system’s most promising pitching prospects.
TRACK RECORD: The Rangers drafted White in the second round in 2018 and gave him an above-slot $1.5 million to pass up a South Carolina commitment. To date, that is the most noteworthy part of his professional career. White has not pitched in an official game in three seasons since signing. The Rangers rested him after the draft and he blew out his elbow in 2019, requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. He did return to pitch in 2020 instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite the missed time, White has starter written all over him. He features a fourpitch mix topped by a fastball that sat 93-97 mph during instructs. His best offspeed pitch is a 78-80 mph curveball with plus potential, and he throws an 83-87 mph slider and 84-87 mph changeup that flash average. Best of all, he throws a lot of strikes. He was a terrific prep athlete who is learning to repeat his delivery. He also fields his position well and keeps runners close.
THE FUTURE: The Rangers plan to send White to low Class A Hickory to open 2021. As he continues to develop his body and gain reps, his ceiling could be a mid-rotation starter.
TRACK RECORD: The Rangers drafted White in the second round in 2018 and gave him an above-slot $1.5 million to pass up a South Carolina commitment. To date, that is the most noteworthy part of his professional career. White has not pitched in an official game in three seasons since signing. The Rangers rested him after the draft and he blew out his elbow in 2019, requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. He did return to pitch in 2020 instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite the missed time, White has starter written all over him. He features a fourpitch mix topped by a fastball that sat 93-97 mph during instructs. His best offspeed pitch is a 78-80 mph curveball with plus potential, and he throws an 83-87 mph slider and 84-87 mph changeup that flash average. Best of all, he throws a lot of strikes. He was a terrific prep athlete who is learning to repeat his delivery. He also fields his position well and keeps runners close.
THE FUTURE: The Rangers plan to send White to low Class A Hickory to open 2021. As he continues to develop his body and gain reps, his ceiling could be a mid-rotation starter.
TRACK RECORD: The Rangers drafted White in the second round in 2018 and gave him an above-slot $1.5 million to pass up a South Carolina commitment. To date, that is the most noteworthy part of his professional career. White has not pitched in an official game in three seasons since signing. The Rangers rested him after the draft and he blew out his elbow in 2019, requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. He did return to pitch in 2020 instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite the missed time, White has starter written all over him. He features a fourpitch mix topped by a fastball that sat 93-97 mph during instructs. His best offspeed pitch is a 78-80 mph curveball with plus potential, and he throws an 83-87 mph slider and 84-87 mph changeup that flash average. Best of all, he throws a lot of strikes. He was a terrific prep athlete who is learning to repeat his delivery. He also fields his position well and keeps runners close.
THE FUTURE: The Rangers plan to send White to low Class A Hickory to open 2021. As he continues to develop his body and gain reps, his ceiling could be a mid-rotation starter.
Career Transactions
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Owen White to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Owen White to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers recalled RHP Owen White from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers recalled RHP Owen White from Round Rock Express.
Round Rock Express activated RHP Owen White.
Round Rock Express placed RHP Owen White on the temporarily inactive list.
RHP Owen White assigned to Round Rock Express from Frisco RoughRiders.
Round Rock Express activated RHP Owen White.
RHP Owen White assigned to Round Rock Express from Frisco RoughRiders.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Owen White to Frisco RoughRiders.
Frisco RoughRiders activated RHP Owen White.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Owen White to Frisco RoughRiders.
Texas Rangers recalled RHP Owen White from Frisco RoughRiders.
Texas Rangers recalled RHP Owen White from Frisco RoughRiders.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Owen White and to Frisco RoughRiders.
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