With depth proving to be more important than ever during the shortened 2020 season that was played amid a pandemic, the Los Angeles Dodgers sent 21 different pitchers to the mound over the course of the year. Part of that group was Mitch White, who made his MLB debut.
The 25-year-old was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster last November to protect him from Rule 5 Draft eligibility, which meant a spot in big league camp for Spring Training.
Unfortunately for White, he didn’t get many opportunities due to Cactus League play ending prematurely. All wasn’t lost, as the Dodgers included White in their player pool to make him eligible to participate this season.
The right-hander was promoted to the active roster on Aug. 1 as the corresponding move to Tony Gonsolin being optioned. However, White was sent back to the club’s alternate training site one day later before getting the chance to pitch.
He was recalled for a second time on Aug. 27, taking the spot of the injured Walker Buehler. White appeared in his first MLB game the following day, tossing a scoreless eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.
White was again optioned shortly after that and wouldn’t return to the active roster until Sept. 18. It was his lengthiest stay yet, as he made one more appearance against the Colorado Rockies before being sent down six days later.
In two overall appearances, White did not allow a run over three innings pitched. He was tabbed for just one hit and one walk while striking out two of the 11 batters he faced.
2020 highlight
On Sept 18. against the Rockies — his final appearance of the regular season — White needed all of 22 pitches to toss two perfect innings with a strikeout.
2021 outlook
White remains under team control through the 2026 season and isn’t eligible for arbitration until 2024. Given the uncertainties surrounding a potential 2021 Minor League Baseball campaign, it is currently unclear how White fits in the Dodgers’ plans next year.
Under normal circumstances, he would likely open the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Of course, a strong showing in Spring Training could also lead to White earning a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster — likely as part of the bullpen, given the club’s abundance of starting pitching.
