Owen White Bio
William Timothy Owen White, known professionally as Owen White, is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League. A right-handed pitcher, White has spent time at multiple levels of professional baseball, including Major League Baseball (MLB) stints with the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox. He made his MLB debut in 2023 and has since experienced the highs and lows of professional pitching, including injuries and roster moves across several organizations.
Born in North Carolina, White first gained attention as a high school standout before being selected in the 2018 MLB Draft. He has built his career on resilience, working his way through the minor leagues, undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery, and eventually reaching the majors. In December 2025, he embarked on a new chapter overseas by signing with the Hanwha Eagles in South Korea.
Early Life and Background
William Timothy Owen White was born on August 9, 1999, in China Grove, North Carolina. He grew up in a small town in Rowan County and attended Jesse C. Carson High School, where he developed into one of the top young baseball talents in the state. At Carson, he was a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball through his senior year and serving as the football team’s quarterback through his junior season, showcasing his competitive nature across multiple disciplines.
White’s senior baseball season was exceptional. He posted a 10–1 record with a 0.22 earned run average (ERA) and 101 strikeouts in 63 and two-thirds innings, establishing himself as one of the most dominant high school pitchers in North Carolina. For his performance, he was named the North Carolina Gatorade baseball Player of the Year for 2017–2018. Following high school, White committed to play college baseball at the University of South Carolina, joining the Gamecocks program before ultimately turning professional.
Path to Baseball
White’s path to professional baseball accelerated quickly after his standout senior season. Although he had committed to South Carolina, his draft stock rose following his Gatorade Player of the Year recognition. The Texas Rangers selected him in the second round, with the 55th overall pick, of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the Rangers for a $1.5 million signing bonus, choosing to begin his professional career rather than attend college.
After signing, the Rangers placed White in a specialized development program designed to ease the workload on young pitchers. Rather than appearing in an official game during the 2018 season, he focused on strength training and classroom work until the post-season instructional program. Unfortunately, White suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in May 2019 and underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2019 season. The setback delayed his progress, but the Rangers remained committed to his long-term development.
Owen White Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
White did not pitch in an official game in 2018 or 2019 due to the developmental program and his Tommy John surgery. He also missed the 2020 season because of the cancellation of Minor League Baseball resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. His professional debut finally came in 2021 with the Down East Wood Ducks of the Low-A East league, although the moment was bittersweet. In his first professional game, he fractured his right hand after striking the ground following a fielding error. After a brief rehab stint in the Arizona Complex League, he returned in August and finished the year strong.
In 2021, White posted a combined 4–1 record with a 3.06 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 35 and one-third innings across his affiliates. That off-season, he joined the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, where he was named the AFL Pitcher of the Year after going 5–0 with a 1.91 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 28 and one-third innings. The performance marked a turning point, signaling that White’s arm had fully recovered and that he was ready to climb the minor league ladder.
Texas Rangers Era (2022–2024)
White opened the 2022 season with the Hickory Crawdads of the High-A South Atlantic League, where he went 6–2 with a 3.99 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 58 and two-thirds innings. His strong performance earned him a mid-season promotion to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League. With Frisco, he posted a 3–0 record with a 2.49 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 21 and two-thirds innings. Although a right forearm strain cost him more than two months, he returned in time to pitch in the Texas League playoffs. Following the season, multiple outlets ranked him among baseball’s top prospects, with Baseball America placing him 59th overall.
The Rangers added White to their 40-man roster in November 2022 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He began the 2023 season in the minors due to neck inflammation during spring training but was promoted to the majors on June 13, 2023. That night, he made his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Angels in relief, allowing three runs in two innings. He later appeared in the 2023 All-Star Futures Game, a recognition of his prospect status. In 2024, White struggled during a brief MLB stint, posting a 24.00 ERA in three innings before being designated for assignment in December.
Chicago White Sox Era (2025)
After being designated for assignment by the Rangers, White was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in January 2025 for cash considerations. He was quickly designated for assignment again, claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees, and then designated for assignment a second time before being claimed by the Chicago White Sox on February 17, 2025. The White Sox optioned him to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights to begin the season.
White appeared twice in relief for the White Sox in June 2025 and returned to the majors for one appearance in August, where he struggled in a win over the Atlanta Braves. He was removed from the 40-man roster in October and elected free agency in November, ending his brief tenure in Chicago.
Hanwha Eagles Era (2025–Present)
On December 16, 2025, White signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League, beginning a new chapter of his career in South Korea. Wearing jersey No. 24, he joined the Eagles as they looked to bolster their pitching staff for the upcoming season. The move marked his first experience playing professional baseball outside of the United States.
Owen White Career Wins
White’s career has been defined more by development and perseverance than by win totals. Across his MLB appearances with the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, he has compiled a win–loss record reflecting limited major league opportunities. His most celebrated stretch came during the 2021 Arizona Fall League, where his 5–0 record and 1.91 ERA earned him Pitcher of the Year honors.
Minor League Highlights
White’s minor league statistics showcase his potential. In 2021, he combined for a 4–1 record with a 3.06 ERA in the Low-A East. In 2022, he went a combined 9–2 between High-A and Double-A, demonstrating improved command and strikeout ability. Although injuries have interrupted his progress at times, his prospect rankings and AFL performance indicate that he remains a pitcher with significant upside.
Other Wins and Performances
White’s AFL Pitcher of the Year award stands as one of his most notable individual achievements, and his selection to the 2023 All-Star Futures Game further underscored his standing among the game’s top young pitchers. His early MLB appearances, while limited, provided valuable experience against major league hitters.
Owen White Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
White was raised in China Grove, North Carolina, where he developed his love for sports. He was a multi-sport athlete throughout high school, balancing baseball, basketball, and football. His family supported his athletic pursuits as he grew into one of the most accomplished high school pitchers in the state.
Personal Life
White maintains an active presence on social media and is represented online by his official Instagram account. Details about his personal relationships and family life are not widely publicized.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was one of transition for White. After being designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers in December 2024, he moved through three organizations in just over a month, including brief stints with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox. The White Sox eventually optioned him to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, where he spent most of the year refining his craft. He made three brief appearances in the majors, including one outing in August against the Atlanta Braves. Following the season, White elected free agency in November.
In December 2025, White signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League, opening a new chapter abroad. The move offered him an opportunity to secure a more consistent role and showcase his abilities in a competitive international league. His transition to the KBO represents a fresh start and a chance to build momentum after a turbulent year of roster moves in the United States.