By Mike London

mike.london@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Owen White needed a fresh start, and now he has one.

White, 25, was designated for assignment recently by the Texas Rangers, losing his roster spot after struggling in brief MLB auditions in 2023 and 2024.

The Cincinnati Reds have acquired White for cash considerations. They didn’t have to send the Rangers a player.

It’s a great, no-risk gamble by the Reds. White was considered one of the top pitching prospects in the game, certainly the Rangers’ No. 1 pitching prospect, not that long ago.

White enjoyed a storybook career at Jesse Carson High and was the best baseball player in Cougar history as a pitcher/shortstop. He holds a stack of school records as both a pitcher and a hitter. White also starred in basketball. He was Rowan County Male Athlete of the Year twice and North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year for baseball as a senior.

White committed to the University of South Carolina, but the Rangers drafted him in the second round in 2018 and were able to sign him for $1.5 million.

White experienced several setbacks — Tommy John surgery, the COVID pandemic, a broken hand —  but once he finally got healthy, he turned in very strong minor league seasons in 2021 and 2022. His ERA was 3.42. His strikeout rate (34 percent) was exceptionally high and his walk rate was low (7.5 percent).

In the fall of 2022, White (6-3, 200) was the best pitcher in the Arizona Fall League, totally dominating the competition. His stock soared like a rocket, and he flew up the lists that rank top minor league prospects. White was ranked 62nd among all MLB prospects at that point.

But the last two seasons did not go smoothly for White, who posted not-so-great minor league numbers in the upper minors, plus five shaky outings (seven innings) when he got chances to pitch in the big leagues.

White did get a World Series ring from his time with the Rangers, and now he starts over with new coaches, new teammates and a new organization.