Former LSU star Tommy White has signed a Major League Baseball contract with the Oakland Athletics after being selected in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft. According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, White signed for $3 million, which is well above the listed slot value of $2,332,100 for his No. 40 overall selection.
White’s collegiate career at LSU was marked by impressive performances and accolades. In 2023, he had a standout season, hitting .374 with 24 home runs and 105 RBI, helping the Tigers secure a national championship in his first year with the program. Despite a slight dip in numbers in 2024, where he hit .330 with 70 RBI and 24 home runs, White continued to be a crucial part of LSU’s offense. He earned Second Team All-American honors from the NCBWA and was a Second Team All-SEC selection.
White’s tenure at LSU was decorated with numerous achievements. In 2023, despite battling a shoulder injury, he was a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist and a College World Series All-Tournament Team selection.
Now with the Athletics, White aims to realize his significant potential, as highlighted by MLB Draft analysts. MLB.com offered a detailed evaluation of his skills, emphasizing his notable right-handed power and hitting ability. According to their scouting report:
“White continues to stand out with his huge right-handed power to all fields, which he generates with strength, bat speed and an uncanny ability to barrel balls. Known more for his slugging, he’s underrated as a hitter who makes repeated contact with impressive exit velocities. Though he’s overly aggressive and regularly expands his strike zone, he rarely swings and misses.”
Despite some limitations on the bases and in the field, White’s hitting prowess makes him a valuable prospect. His well-below-average speed and average arm strength suggest he may primarily serve as a designated hitter or first baseman in professional baseball, positions where his defensive shortcomings will be less impactful.
