White Excited About Opportunity To Play At Wagner

GALENA - There were a myriad of  reasons for selecting Wagner College as a future home according to Griffin White.

“I really clicked with the coaching staff, I like the location, they play at a minor league field that overlooks the New York City skyline and they get guys drafted almost every year,” White said in listing off reasons that put the university located in Staten Island over the top in his quest to find a school to play baseball at the next level.

The Olentangy Berlin senior is happy the process went quickly following a decommitment from Western Illinois.

“After everything opened up I went on a visit in early December,” White reflected. “We had been in contact for a month. When I went on the visit I really liked it and they offered three days after the visit. I took three days to think about it and then called the head coach and told him I wanted to be part of the program.”

It marked the first time White had been to New York.

“I toured the school facilities and met some of the guys,” White said. “What I liked about it is you can see New York City from the campus. It’s right on the Hudson River. If you want to go to the city it’s just a fairy ride away.”

Admittedly, getting back in the recruiting process was not easy for the 43rd-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in Ohio.

“It was really stressful from the mental side, being right before signing day.” White explained. “But everything happens for a reason and it all worked out. It was a blessing in disguise and I couldn’t be happier.

“After everything opened up I sent video,” White added. “After that I started talking with coach (Devin) Burke and I sent him more video. Then I was invited on a visit.”

The pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Wagner liked what he saw in the hard-throwing 6-5 215-pounder.

“He likes my projectability and that I’m a good kid,” White noted. “Once I get in the weight program and nutrition program he said there’s a chance I can get drafted.”

The 101st-ranked senior in the state gave credit to his travel and high school coaches Josh Moss, Mike Stafford, Max Gunn and Mike Weaver with helping him through the process.

“I’m very grateful to have a lot of people in my corner,” pointed out White, who also visited Butler and had talks with Toledo and George Mason before deciding on Wagner. “It was definitely a huge weight off my shoulders to commit. Now I can focus on getting better every day and making a run for spring success.”

The need to improve is important.

“I have to keep building physically in the weight room, building arm strength and building confidence as well when I step on the field,” White said.

The Olentangy Berlin senior believes he can make a positive impact on the Northeast Conference program.

“I’ll bring a big-time arm that can throw strikes in every situation,” White said. “I’m someone you can rely on to get outs.”

A major in either education or business is the plan for White, a 3.6 student who is thrilled about what the future holds at Wagner.

“The biggest thing I’m looking forward to is to live and play on my own,” White related. “They play in a tough non-conference schedule and I’m looking forward to being able to compete and give the team a chance to win.”

Being 81/2 hours away from home is not always easy for someone who just turned 18 years of age.

“It’s going to be tough away from family but I’m ready to get out and try something new,” White concluded. “In talking to my parents about it, a kid from Columbus going to New York City to play and do what’s best for my baseball career, we all thought that was kind of cool.”