White becoming a hit in Astros system

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- There is nothing stereotypical about Tyler White.

He is not a stereotypical corner infielder with big power. Instead of 25 homers, he's more likely to thrill you with an average above .300, an on-base percentage north of .400 and a strikeout-to-walk ratio that will make you double-check the numbers. He's not a stereotypical 33rd-round pick, who might get a small taste of pro ball before moving on. He's already reached Triple-A ball and thrived there in a way few ever do.

He is not a stereotypical prospect and he's well on his way to becoming a non-stereotypical Major Leaguer.

White is a one-tool beast. He's not quick, he's not particularly powerful and despite some time at third base, he's likely limited to first base. He can only hit. But can he ever hit.

The 25-year-old slugger has produced a .311/.422/.489 career line in his three seasons after being taken in the 33rd round of the 2013 Draft out of Western Carolina, where he hit .363 with a .423 OBP, 16 homers and only 26 strikeouts in 59 games as a senior. Of the seven Astros affiliates he's played for over those three campaigns, he's posted an OBP below .400 with only one -- Class A Short Season Tri-City, where the stat was a very acceptable .362.

"He just keeps going on," Astros director of player development Allen Rowin said. "The bat-to-ball skills are really good. He has a real knack for hitting. The foundation was set when he came out of college, and the skill set he has just keeps moving along. As he goes up each level, he just keeps getting better. It's the sum of all parts. He's developed past the skill set he had coming in, and we're seeing the results now."

But no season in White's still-short career was more impressive than 2015. Tackling Double-A ball for the first time, he hit .284 with a .415 OBP in 59 games. He collected only 13 extra-base hits (six doubles, seven homers) in those 59 contests, but he impressed by earning 42 free passes compared to only 35 strikeouts.

Then, there was Triple-A Fresno.

After being promoted on July 1, White produced a .362/.467/.559 line with 27 extra-base hits and a 38/42 K/BB ratio. His .362 average would have been highest among all Triple-A hitters over that span if not for Omaha's Jose Martinez, who posted a .393 average en route to setting the PCL's modern-day record. This winter produced a similar story. White was named Dominican Winter League MVP after hitting .297/.421/.494 with seven homers and a 37/32 K/BB ratio over 44 contests.

No matter where he's played as a professional, White has yet to be fooled.

"I think not really being overwhelmed by the experience. It's still the game of baseball," he said. "Obviously, the competition gets better the higher you go. But I've always looked it as no matter who you're facing, they've got to throw the ball in the same spot, whether it's high school or big leagues. It's a little harder at points, a little better stuff. But you just got to look at it in the same spot, and when it comes there, you hit it. I try to keep it really, really simple."

It's that simpleness that leads to White's stat line. Without a major power tool -- MLB.com grades his at a below-average 45 on the 20-to-80 scale -- White rarely sells out for homers. His career .178 ISO is rather average, not only because he doesn't have the strength to put the ball over the wall but because he'll take basic contact over a strikeout any day.

"When you get the 1-2, 0-2, 2-2 counts, I try to battle back and put the ball in play or try to do a job," he said. "Kinda control the zone, take control of the at-bat. Don't let the pitcher be in control of you. Be in control of what's happening in the box. I think I've done a pretty good job of that the last couple of years."

It's all led to White's first non-roster invitation to Spring Training this year, with a real shot in what's considered an open competition for the Major League first-base job. Former promising prospect Jon Singleton has been a .171 hitter with a 36-percent strikeout rate in the Majors. Fellow prospect A.J. Reed is another candidate but hasn't played more than half a season at Double-A and could be a victim of the service-time game. Matt Duffy and Marwin Gonzalez are also candidates by way of being on the 40-man roster.

Even with all of them in the picture, White remains an intriguing option because few first baseman, outside of Joey Votto, can match the high average/OBP potential he's shown throughout his time in the Astros system. The Astros would have to make room for him on the 40-man roster to make that happen, of course, but they haven't publicly ruled out doing so. Even a platoon involving the right-handed-hitting White could be an option, especially if Evan Gattis (sports hernia surgery) opens the season on the DL, creating an opening at designated hitter.

Just being a Major League option at this point in his career, three years after he became pro for a reported $1,000 signing bonus, has made for a fun spring for White.

"I mean, it's awesome," he said. "Sure, you catch yourself and think every once in a while, 'Wow, maybe I'm not supposed to be here.' But I've had confidence in myself to make it. That's all you can do. Have confidence in yourself that you'll make it or do what I can do to get here. I'll see where that takes me."

If anyone was worried White's bat would look bad in small samples this spring, that hasn't been the case. He went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles, an RBI and a run scored in the Astros' 10-4 win over the Tigers on Friday, raising his Grapefruit League slash line to .364/.364/.591 through seven contests. 

Maybe, just maybe, it's time to see what White can do in the Majors, the only level he's yet to conquer.

"When you see guys that have these skills, you keep pushing them to see where they can go," Rowin said. "Then, they keep having success, and you keep riding that out. Sky's the limit now. He's going to play in the big leagues. It's just a matter of when now."