Eli White to make debut with Braves after torrid spring

With the injury to Michael Harris II, the talented 28 year-old has an opportunity to seize a starting role in this Braves outfield

After the Braves signed outfielder Eli White from the Rangers in December, he has done nothing but sizzle. He’ll get his first chance to earn a permanent spot on the roster on Monday night, as he is batting ninth and starting in center field in the absence of Michael Harris.

The 2016 11th round draft pick made his debut with the Rangers in 2020 and proved himself a defensive guru. After beginning his career as a shortstop out of his days at Clemson, he transitioned to center field due to his speed and strong arm.

However, he never could get the bat clicking in three seasons. He owns a .185 career batting average with 124 strikeouts compared to 65 hits. Elite defense and pinch running kept him in the Majors.

But White looked like a new man in Spring Training, forcing the Braves to make a tough decision to option him to Triple-A in March. He went 12-for-28 with three homers and six RBIs with only five Ks, good for a .500 OBP. He also stole a base this spring, and he swiped 17 bags with the Rangers.

White is known for an amazing home run robbery he made last May against the Rays. He leapt well above the wall in left to snag what would’ve been a three-run jack for Ji-Man Choi.

With a strong showing in spring ball and the injury to Michael Harris last week, White earned a chance to prove a change of scenery might play to the 28-year-old’s advantage. He was called up to Atlanta on Friday, April 7, and struck out in his sole at-bat this season on Sunday versus the Padres.

His tear this spring hinted that he could be capable of being a table-setter again. In his senior season at Clemson, he sported a .380 OBP with a .297 average while batting leadoff.

He will come into a low-pressure situation, batting ninth in a strong Atlanta order. The Harris injury is coming along well, according to manager Brian Snitker, so White isn’t expected to permanently fill in the role.

White will take the field next to Ronald Acuña and Kevin Pillar against Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (1-0, 1.29). 

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