Alex White

2013

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2012

White was uncharacteristically wild (4.38 BB/9IP) last season and extremely vulnerable to the long ball (2.63 HR/9IP) in his 51.1 big league innings. He's only 23 and as a prospect who moved quickly through the Indians' system, growing pains were to be expected. Perhaps visions of former prospect Adam Miller led the Indians to include White in the deal that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland, but he lost nearly three months to a strained ligament in his right index finger, and there's reason to believe that the injury may have been partially to blame for his disastrous results in August and September. With only four Triple-A starts under his belt, it's possible that White will open the year at Colorado Springs if he's unable to secure a rotation spot out of spring training.

2011

White advanced to Double-A Akron in his full-season debut and did very well as a 21-year-old. He features a nice sinking fastball and a split-finger but needs to add a third pitch to his arsenal. If he can't develop an offspeed pitch he could always be groomed as a future closer, but for now the Indians are hopeful he'll be able to handle starting duties with the addition of a third pitch. He could struggle at Triple-A with just a two-pitch arsenal so developing that third pitch is the key to his development. He'll spend most of the year at Triple-A Columbus, but may get a taste of Cleveland at some point after the All-Star break.

2010

White was the team's first-round pick in the June draft, but signed late enough to push back his pro debut to this season. He features a power fastball/splitter arsenal and some see his future as a late-inning bullpen arm, but the Indians will try him as a starter initially. He does have some command and mechanical issues to overcome but he'll start the season in the rotation at High-A Kinston.