Lonnie White Jr. faced challenging test in High-A this season

Outfielder struggled with injuries and strikeouts in Greensboro during 2024

Photo Credit: WTM

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Lonnie White Jr. as one of many high-upside prep players during the 2021 draft, along with Bubba Chandler and Anthony Solometo. A multi-sport athlete, White also had a scholarship to play not only baseball but also wide receiver at Penn State until the Pirates drafted and signed him.

Since turning pro, it’s been a bit of a struggle, as injuries have limited him to just 161 games in three and a half years in the system. This year was particularly tough on the outfielder, as he struck out right 35% of the time while batting just .167 across 375 plates appearances with Greensboro.

With so much raw talent, it’s hard to imagine him struggling this much in the lower levels. So I asked Greensboro manager Blake Butler if perhaps it was a mental thing that White was dealing with this year.