Inside The Twins

Latest mock draft has Twins taking college slugger with 75 homers

Tommy White has mashed 75 homers in three seasons of college baseball
May 25, 2024; Hoover, AL, USA; LSU Tigers infielder Tommy White (47) reacts after a big swing against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the SEC Baseball Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2024; Hoover, AL, USA; LSU Tigers infielder Tommy White (47) reacts after a big swing against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the SEC Baseball Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports | Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

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Tommy White is the No. 15-rated prospect by MLB insider Jonathan Mayo's big board for the upcoming MLB draft, and Mayo is predicting White to land with the Twins with the 21st overall pick.

In Mayo's newest mock draft, he write, "There are those who prefer White over someone like, say, Tibbs, because he has the chance to stick on the dirt at third. A total of 75 homers in three collegiate seasons is nothing to sneeze at."

Tibbs? He's talking about Florida State outfielder/first baseman James Tibbs, who he has mocked to the Red Sox with the No. 12 pick.

White is a 6-foot-1, 228-pound third baseman from LSU. He has smashed 75 homers over the past three seasons and his scouting report from MLB Pipeline says he has "produced some of hte best raw power and exit velocities in the 2021 class," meaning it's hard to find anyone who graduated high school in 2021 who smashes baseballs like White.

"White continues to stand out with his huge right-handed power to all fields, which he generates with strength, bat speed and an uncanny ability to barrel balls," the scouting report from Pipeline reads. "Known more for his slugging, he's underrated as a hitter who makes repeated contact with impressive exit velocities. Though he's overly aggressive and regularly expands his strike zone, he rarely swings and misses."

He's projected to be a first baseman in the big leagues.

Take a look at his college stats the past three seasons. He played at North Carolina State in 2022 before transferring to LSU.

Season

AVG

OBP%

SLG%

OPS

HR

RBI

2022

.362

.425

.757

1.182

27

74

2023

.377

.435

.729

1.164

24

105

2024

.337

.412

.675

1.086

24

69

White can still add to his 2024 numbers as LSU is playing in the Chapel Hill regional of the NCAA Tournament.

The MLB draft will be held July 16 in Arlington, Texas.


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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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