The Mariners are signing reliever Brendan White out of the independent ranks, according to an announcement from the Atlantic League’s Lancaster Stormers. White finished last season with the Stormers after being released from a minor league contract with the Tigers in July.
White, 27, pitched in the majors for Detroit a couple seasons ago. He made 33 appearances and tossed 40 2/3 innings of 5.09 ERA ball as a rookie in 2023. He struck out a quarter of batters faced against a league average 8.5% walk rate. He sat in the 94-95 mph range with his four-seam fastball while using a mid-80s breaking ball almost two-thirds of the time.
The right-hander lost most of the ’24 season to injury. Detroit non-tendered him at the end of the year but brought him back on a minor league contract. White had a rough return to Triple-A Toledo last season. His strikeout rate fell to 17% as opponents rocked him for more than seven earned runs per nine innings. He continued to struggle after landing with the Stormers, giving up six runs while handing out 10 free passes (six walks and four hit batters) across 9 2/3 innings.
White will look to put the down year behind him as he joins a new MLB organization for the first time in his career. He’ll presumably open the season at Triple-A Tacoma.
Probably the best off-season I’ve seen by the M’s in 10+ years.
I can’t tell if that’s sarcasm. It’s been a fine offseason. Not the best, not the worst.
Retaining Naylor is a big FA signing. Trading for Donavan was costly. Big moves were made.
This guy could be the next Penn Murphy, Tom Wilhelmson, or Paul Sewald; as long as he not the next Bobby Ayala.
The Pile grows.
Seeing signings like this makes me wonder how the Mariners RP machine works. What is it about White that piqued someone’s interest? How did the sales pitch to Dipoto / Hollander go? Who gave the sales pitch? I guess I’m just really interested in how the business side of the game goes.
The Mariners do routinely pull diamonds out of the rough with their RPs. Sewald, Graveman, Steckenrider that one time, Swanson, Speier, Bazardo (except in game 7 apparently but I’m not bitter I swear!)… the list goes on. Regarding this guy, he’s likely just extra depth with a long shot to make the team. That said, they do identify relief pitchers with traits they like, and the game plan is simple: throw your best pitch often for strikes and learn a sweeper to make hitters look stupid.
Regarding the whole operation, usually Dipoto sets the overall game plan while Hollander handles the transactions and negotiations although it’s a collaborative effort.
Longshot at AAA
Still living the dream and putting the work in. Can’t fault anyone for determination. Best of luck to him
Talk about a reach. Next they may find a hidden gem in outer Mongolia. How does that work? How many bodies can you store in AAA. This new find, might need a two way bus ticket. Personally I have always been for the under dog. He does seem to be a real project. See if they can work some real magic with him.
Mariners are good at RP reclamation projects. Good signing heading into spring training
I’m stunned the Mariners didn’t try to sign Rhys Hoskins as a DH. Dude was solid before his injury and as a DH he could have given them some pop if he returns to form. Guardians might have found a gem cheap