Seattle Mariners: Unless things go “wrong,” Evan White’s time is now
After signing a 6-year $24M deal, Evan White will not only make the big league roster but will serve as the Seattle Mariners’ opening day starter at 1B.
The 2019 version of the Seattle Mariners finished last in the AL West with a 68-94 record. Thus far this off-season the Mariners have remained quiet in free agency and on the trade market and appear to be going all-in with their core of young talent.
Executive VP & GM of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto believes rookie first baseman Evan White is a lock to break camp with the big club.
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The youth movement will be in full effect when the 2020 regular season opens up for the Mariners and White may benefit the most. The Mariners made history when they signed him to a six-year, $24 million deal back in November and they have him slotted ahead of Austin Nola, last year’s incumbent first baseman, on this year’s depth chart.
White, the former first-round draft pick in the 2017 draft, quickly climbed the organizational ladder in 2018. He received a mid-season call up to AAA before returning to High A-ball. After a stint in the Arizona Fall League, he spent the entire 2019 season at AA-Arkansas. After the token spring training invite last year, White will be given a long look this year with every opportunity to get the starting nod when the team heads north.
Evan White may experience some early growing pains in a season that may be filled with a lot of them. Shed Long and J.P. Crawford tally to be the table setters for White and Kyle Seager and Daniel Vogelbach will provide the protection in the order.
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The hope is White is able to develop into the player the Seattle Mariners heavily invested in. Unfortunately, this may come while the losses pile up at an incredible pace.