This spring the Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten extensive looks at Cody Bellinger, Willie Calhoun, Yaisel Sierra and Alex Verudgo, among others. Widely viewed as the organization’s top prospect, Bellinger has garnered the most attention.
While that’s deserved, the Dodgers’ replenished farm system features a bevy of young pitchers with plenty of promise. Included in that group is Walker Buehler, who may make his 2017 Spring Training debut during the exhibition Freeway Series, and 2016 second-round draft pick Mitchell White.
The right-hander got his first Spring Training experience in Sunday’s exhibition game against 2017 World Baseball Classic semifinalist Team Japan. White allowed a leadoff single upon entering the game, then proceeded to retire six batters in a row.
He finished with three strikeouts over two scoreless innings. The performance left Dodgers manager Dave Roberts impressed, via Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register:
#Dodgers Dave Roberts on Mitchell White: "He's got a big arm. … Sometimes you have to see it for yourself. He lived up to the billing."
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 19, 2017
White made his professional debut last July with the Arizona League Dodgers. He fired four shutout innings and collected eight strikeouts, then earned a promotion to Low-A Great Lakes.
The success carried over, as White allowed just one unearned run in 16 scoreless innings over eight games (four starts) with the Loons. He surrendered just three hits and amassed 20 strikeouts to six walks during that stretch.
White concluded the 2016 season with a relief appearance for High-A Rancho Cucamonga. The 22-year-old turned in two innings without allowing a run.
