Former tough-luck Blue Jays pitcher with rough track record signs in KBO

When the Toronto Blue Jays made a key move at the trade deadline during the 2022 season, they sure didn’t know at the time that it would end up being a career-altering move for a promising former 2016 second-round pick. But that was indeed how things turned out for Mitch White in his tenure with the Blue Jays between 2022 and 2024. 

That same Mitch White will now be heading overseas to join the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League, per Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency, with hopes of resurrecting his professional baseball career. He has landed a one-year deal worth $1 million to play for the SSG Landers next season.

Former tough-luck Blue Jays pitcher Mitch White signs in KBO

It’s hard not to feel sorry for White as, after all, he demonstrated great promise when he first entered the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers. During his time with the NL West perennial contenders, White posted a solid 3.58 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, along with 98 strikeouts in 105 2/3 innings pitched over 38 appearances that included 14 starts.

With the makings of the next Ross Stripling due to his effectiveness both as a reliever and starter under the Dodgers’ developmental program, the Jays jumped at the opportunity to add White. Consequently, during the summer of 2022, Toronto traded for the budding right-hander to serve as valuable pitching depth in their playoff run down the stretch.

However, things didn’t go as planned as it turned out to be a complete disaster for White during his three years with the club. In fact, he was nothing close to the promise that he showed when he was with the Dodgers as he compiled an abysmal 7.26 ERA and 1.69 WHIP, giving up 53 earned runs with 50 strikeouts in just 65 2/3 innings pitched over 24 outings, including eight starts.

Despite being given numerous opportunities to work things out and show what he could actually bring to the team, White failed to impress in the end. As a result, the Jays finally lost their patience earlier this year and officially cut ties with the 29-year-old. White eventually caught on with the San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers later in the season but was ultimately designated for assignment by each club due to further ineffectiveness.

As a result, White will now have a chance to reboot his career in Asia as he looks to get his game back on track. Here, we wish White all the best in his newfound opportunity to make himself relevant once again.

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