Oakland selected third baseman Tommy White’s contract on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. He will make his MLB debut on Friday against the Texas Rangers. The move was first reported by MLB Trade Rumors and confirmed by WBRZ and NBC Sports.
White, 23, spent three seasons at LSU. He hit .374 with 48 home runs and 157 RBIs for the Tigers. His SEC career OPS was 1.142. Scouts consistently rated his raw power as plus-plus, projecting him as a middle-of-the-order threat at the next level.
The Athletics selected White with the 40th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He signed for $2.1 million. In 2025, he slashed .289/.361/.512 across Double-A and Triple-A, with 22 home runs and 79 RBIs in 132 games. His strikeout rate improved from 24.3% to 19.8% between levels.
Oakland’s roster needs drove the timing. The A’s rank 27th in MLB in runs scored (3.8 per game). Their third basemen have combined for a .213 batting average and 11 home runs. White will likely bat fifth or sixth on Friday, slotting between Brent Rooker and Zack Gelof.
White’s defensive reputation is mixed. He has a strong arm and reliable hands at third base, but scouts question his lateral range. The A’s plan to use him primarily at third, with occasional starts at first base against left-handed pitching.
Minor league sources indicate White spent extra time with A’s hitting coach Dustin Lind in June. The focus was on two-strike approach and pitch recognition. “He’s a student of the game,” one team official said on condition of anonymity. “He adjusts quickly.”
Social media reaction was immediate. LSU’s official account posted a 30-second highlight package on X, accumulating 1.2 million views in four hours. Oakland’s fan base, while smaller, showed enthusiasm. Season ticket sales for Friday’s game jumped 18% after the announcement, per team sources.
Projections for White’s first week are modest. FanGraphs’ depth charts forecast a .245/.320/.435 line over his first 100 plate appearances. The key metrics scouts will monitor: chase rate on breaking balls away, exit velocity on fastballs middle-in, and defensive reaction time on ground balls to his right.
White’s debut marks a symbolic shift for Oakland. He is the first top-50 prospect from the 2024 draft class to reach the majors. His success—or failure—will influence how aggressively the franchise allocates resources in future drafts and international signings.
The A’s current rebuild timeline projects contention in 2028. White, along with outfielders Henry Bolte and Jhonny Severino, forms the core. If he hits 25 home runs and posts a .340 on-base percentage in 2027, the timeline accelerates.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When and against whom will Tommy White make his MLB debut?
- A: Tommy White will make his MLB debut on Friday, July 17, 2026, against the Texas Rangers.
- Q: What were Tommy White’s stats at LSU?
- A: He hit .374 with 48 home runs and 157 RBIs over three seasons, posting a 1.142 OPS in SEC play.
- Q: Why did the Athletics call up Tommy White now?
- A: Oakland ranks 27th in MLB in runs scored (3.8 per game), and their third basemen have combined for a .213 average with 11 home runs, creating an immediate need for offensive production.
Extended Reading
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors reported the contract selection on July 15 (link ). WBRZ covered White’s LSU legacy and his Friday debut (link ). NBC Sports confirmed the call-up and provided fantasy context (link ).
