A former Blue Jay pitcher is heading overseas.
On Friday evening, it was reported by Jeeho Yoo that Mitch White signed with SSG Landers in the Korean Baseball Organization for $1 million.
#KBO signing: RHP Mitch White (ex-Dodgers, Jays, Giants, Brewers) has signed with the SSG Landers for $1 million.
White’s mother is Korean. I once interviewed him about possibly playing for Korea at WBC while he was with Toronto.— Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) November 16, 2024
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White was selected in the second round of the 2016 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After two appearances during the COVID-impacted 2020 season, he got a proper run of games in 2021 where he had a 3.66 ERA and a 3.83 FIP in 46.2 innings pitched.
He still pitched as an AAAA guy in 2022 with the Dodgers, as he finished his tenure with the 2024 World Series champions with a 3.70 ERA and a 3.95 FIP in 56 innings pitched during the 2022 season. Before the trade deadline, he and Alex De Jesus were traded to the Blue Jays in exchange for Nick Frasso and Moises Brito.
Upon arriving in Toronto, White pitched in 10 games for the Blue Jays, making eight starts. He had a 7.72 ERA and a 3.76 FIP in 43 innings pitched, with a 15.3 K% and a 7.9 BB%. The right-handed pitcher’s 2023 season didn’t go much better, starting the season on the Injured List with two separate injuries. When healthy, White had a 7.11 ERA and a 4.91 FIP in 12.2 innings pitched, eventually being designated for assignment.
White cleared waivers and ended up with the Buffalo Bisons to end the 2023 season, where he put up solid results. Due to those results and a velocity tick-up, there was optimism that White was going to break out in 2024, as he was re-added to the 40-man roster. However, he had a 5.40 ERA and a 4.47 FIP in 10 innings pitched with the Jays and was once again designated for assignment.
The Blue Jays traded White to the San Francisco Giants on April 20. He was once again traded after being designated assignment, this time the Milwaukee Brewers claimed him. Overall, White finished his 2024 season with a 7.23 ERA and a 6.04 FIP in 23.2 innings pitched, along with an 11.8 K% and BB%.
Hopefully, White can turn his career around in South Korea.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.