'Childhood Dream Comes True' For White

Thomas White LHP / OF / Phillips Academy Andover, MA / 2023

JUPITER, Fla. - It was the end of freshman year in high school that Thomas White first talked to a professional scout.

“It was either Matt Hyde of the Yankees or a Cincinnati Reds’ scout,” White reflected. “It was after the first time I threw 97.”

Three years later the hard-throwing southpaw is now in the Miami Marlins’ organization after being selected in the first round of this year’s Major League Baseball Draft.

“I talked with most, if not all, of the teams,” the Phillips Academy of Andover 2023 graduate related. “The Marlins were part of that and I knew they were interested. A couple of others (drafting) in the 20s were also interested.”

But when it comes to the draft there is nothing that is a certainty.

“I had interest up and down the board but I had no inclination as to when I’d get drafted,” the 35th pick chosen in the July draft said. “That made draft day more stressful.”

The money game always plays a part when a player is taken.

“My family and I and my agent Scott Boras weighed the pros and cons which ultimately decided what was better for my future,” said the second-rated 2023 left-handed pitcher in the country, who also had the option of college as a Vanderbilt commit.

“Much more goes into it,” White said of the draft. “Some of those taken in the second round are better than those in the first, but money and a lot else goes into it.”

Being selected by the Marlins admittedly brought a sense of comfort to the 18-year-old from Rowley, Ma., who was with a dozen family members and friends during the first day of the draft.

“What a surreal feeling,” White explained. “I felt like I was going to throw up all night. It was very stressful. Once I was taken it was a sigh of relief. All the work had paid off and I’m with a Big League organization. It made a childhood dream come true.”

In Florida now for going on two weeks, White still finds it all hard to believe.

“It’s weird walking around,” White said. “It adds a little confidence in your step. I don’t feel different, but there’s this thing inside you that saying ‘I really did this.’”

The 6-5 215-pounder, whose signing bonus of $4.1 million was far above the slot amount of $2,420,900, is now looking at improving in order to reach the Big Leagues sooner rather than later.

“I need to fill out a little bit and add a little control, limit the walks and up the strikeouts,” White explained. “I need to learn my body and what is best for me.”

As for getting to the major leagues quickly, the highly-regarded White has “no expectations” at this time.

“The plan is to continue training,” White said late last week. “I threw my first bullpen today and it went really well. The plan is to get in a game or two at the end of the FCL (Florida Complex League) in late August or early September when the season winds down.

“There are no expectations, whenever the team thinks I’m ready. The quicker the better, but I want to get better so when I get there I’m ready.”