The Tigers have re-signed right-hander Brendan White to a minor league deal, based on Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. White, who was non-tendered by Detroit final month, receives a non-roster invitation to massive league Spring Coaching as a part of the deal and can earn $765K when within the majors.
White, 26, obtained his begin within the Tigers group as a Twenty sixth-round choose within the 2019 draft. After making his professional debut shortly after being drafted, White didn’t pitch in the course of the cancelled minor league season in 2020 however returned to the mound in 2021 for the membership’s Excessive-A affiliate. In 26 appearances (18 begins) on the stage, White posted a strong sufficient 4.17 ERA in 101 1/3 innings of labor with a 23.9% strikeout fee towards a 6% stroll fee. Regardless of these strong outcomes, White was moved to the bullpen upon his arrival in Double-A the next yr. That change in position got here with wonderful outcomes as he dominated opposing hitters to the tune of a 2.67 ERA in 67 1/3 innings of labor. His stroll fee held regular at 6.3%, however his strikeout fee ticked as much as 27.1% within the new position.
That not solely earned him a promotion to Triple-A Toledo in 2023, but in addition opened the door for White to make his massive league debut. The suitable-hander cut up his time between the majors and Triple-A in 2023 and totaled 77 2/3 innings of labor between the 2 ranges. At Triple-A, White posted a superb 30.9% strikeout fee whereas strolling 6.8% of opponents regardless of a relatively pedestrian 4.14 ERA. Within the majors, White struggled to a 5.09 ERA (86 ERA+) regardless of wonderful peripherals. He punched out 24.9% of opponents towards an 8.5% stroll fee. On prime of that, White additionally floated a formidable 51.9% groundball fee within the majors.
The suitable-hander’s sturdy peripherals appeared more likely to earn him a spot within the Tigers’ bullpen combine for the 2024 season, however elbow irritation saved him off the mound for nearly everything of 2024. He pitched simply 7 1/3 innings whole final yr throughout 4 ranges of the minors earlier than being positioned on the 60-day IL within the majors again in August. Following White’s misplaced season, the Tigers opted to designate him for project and subsequently non-tender him final month. That made him a free agent eligible to signal with any of the league’s 30 organizations, however he in the end will return to Detroit on a non-roster pact and try and work his manner again to the majors.
Step one in that course of figures to be getting wholesome, a field which Petzold reviews is already checked. He notes that the right-hander underwent a process to deal with a proper radial nerve damage again in August and was again throwing off a mound the next month, permitting him to take part in a traditional offseason throwing program. Assuming he stays wholesome going ahead, it’s by no means troublesome to think about White pitching his manner again onto the Tigers’ roster sooner or later in 2025, and even perhaps in time for Opening Day 2025.
