Lonnie White Jr: Consistency key to breakout

Outfielder is mashing the ball in Greensboro, but with some strikeouts in between.

Photo Credit: WTM

He never coached him in Greensboro, but watching Lonnie White Jr. play takes me back to the conversation I had with now Altoona skipper Robby Hammock late last season.

I asked him what one of the biggest adjustments players have to make as they move up from level to level, specifically from Single-to-High-A, is that that’s where he was managing at the time.

His answer works no matter where you are, though, as the consistency changes the most.

Pitchers can hit the upper 90s in the lowest levels, but they may be unable to maintain that level for entire outings or can locate it here and there. They move up as they can do those things more consistently.

There may not be a better description of where White is now than that.

Few players in the system possess the raw talent of the former Malvern Prep star outfielder, who was taken with the 64th overall pick in 2021.