Former Clemson Star Eli White Makes First Start with Atlanta Braves
If you grew up anywhere in the Southeast there's at least a passing chance that your baseball fandom was committed to the Atlanta Braves. "Braves Country" is believed to be a tangible area in the South. Greenville, South Carolina falls firmly in those borders. The reason that specific area is mentioned is that it just so happens to be the hometown of Eli White, former Clemson shortstop and Monday night's starting centerfielder for the Atlanta Braves themselves.
After last season's rookie of the year, Michael Harris Jr. went down with an injury White was called up from the Gwinnett Stripers, the AAA squad of the Braves. Eli had hit 3 homers and driven in 5 RBIs while posting 1.115 OPS in 4 games with the Stripers before his call up all while playing outstanding defense as well. That was 4 days ago and Monday night the infielder turned outfielder received his first chance with the big league club.
Eli White was drafted in the 11th round in 2016 by the Oakland Athletics.
White, after spending the last 3 years with the Texas Rangers, probably didn't have quite the starting debut he was hoping for as the 28-year-old went 0-3 with 2 strikeouts against some solid pitching from the Cincinnati Reds. However, he's shown enough through spring training and his hot start in AAA to earn more chances as the season progresses.
The former Tiger spoke to the AJC back in February about his struggles to find a consistent role in the majors. He acknowledged, “I’ve had success in the minor leagues, obviously – it just hasn’t translated over to the big leagues." "Yet", is hopefully the keyword. Regardless of when his next opportunity comes it appears he has the right mindset to battle for his spot, "It’s definitely a battle,” he said. “I feel like this game is such a mental game. Having that confidence is huge, having that confidence in your abilities, and every time you step in the box, you try not to have any self-doubt.” Braves and Tigers fans alike are rooting certainly rooting for him moving forward.