What 2023 Taught Texas Rangers Pitcher Owen White: 'Mistakes Get Hit'

Owen White is looking to take on any role available if it helps earn him a spot on the Texas Rangers Opening Day roster.

Owen White had a three-word answer when asked what he learned during his four Major League innings with the Texas Rangers last season.

“Mistakes get hit,” Owen said from the Rangers spring training complex in Surprise, Ariz.

White took the loss in his MLB debut on June 13 against the Los Angeles Angels when he allowed three runs on four hits in two innings. He walked one and had two strikeouts. He surrendered a two-run home run to Hunter Renfroe on an 0-1 89 mph cutter up and away. It was one of those mistakes even veterans sometimes make.

He received another shot against the Astros on July 26. He held Houston to one hit in two innings in a 13-5 Rangers win. Only problem? The lone hit was a Yainer Diaz homer.

“I made a couple of mistakes, and they got hit hard,” he said.

White struggled in the minors, too, in 2023.

After a 9-2 record and a 3.59 ERA in 2022 at High-A Hickory and Double-A Frisco, White started 2023 at Frisco before earning a promotion to Triple-A Round Rock. He was 4-5 with a 4.22 ERA at Triple-A.

White, a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB draft, has good stuff, and hopes remain high it will come together for him this spring.

He earned a spot in the MLB Futures Game before the All-Star Game in Seattle last July. But, like his two appearances with the Rangers, something was a bit off.

“I didn’t have my best stuff last year,” White said. “I grinded my way through it.”

White throws four pitches, including a four-seam fastball that can top out at 96 mph. With a slider, curveball, and change-up, it’s the kind of make-up that scouts and team executives seek in a starter.

White spent the offseason tweaking some of his mechanics but said his issues a year ago were mostly mental.

“I think I was searching too hard instead of just being an athlete and going out there and playing,” he said.

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White spent much of his offseason working out with Dane Dunning, who was named the Rangers Pitcher of the Year for 2023. White liked how Dunning pushed him during the offseason and believes it will make him a better pitcher.

That applies whether he starts the season at Triple-A or with the Rangers, who will be without Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle to start the season, leaving a potential opening or two in the starting rotation.

“I would obviously love to get the starting job, but I’ll do whatever,” White said.

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