Jimmy White showed patience, saw 7 pro seasons, made AA
Astros farmhand Jimmy White assessed his progress in 1994 to his hometown Tampa Tribune.
When he started four years earlier, he didn't know anything. He just went up and hit, he told The Tribune.
"Now you look over how the pitcher pitched you last time. You go up there more prepared," he told The Tribune. "Things are a lot different. I'm more patient and confident."
White made AA for the first time that season. In a career that spanned seven seasons, he didn't make it higher.
White's career began in 1990, taken by the Astros in the sixth round of the draft out of Brandon High School in Florida.
Ahead of the draft, The Tribune spoke to scouts to gauge his prospects.
"He's an interesting project," one scout told The Tribune. "He reminds me of a young colt. He needs to grow and develop, but he has all the tools you like to see in a major-league prospect."
White started with the Astros in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He hit .244 in 52 games.
He moved to single-A Asheville for 1991 and to single-A Burlington for most of 1992. He hit .256 in 1991 and .296 in 1992. White spoke to The Tribune about his improvement in 1992.
"I think I'm much better than I was in previous years because I have better concentration," White told The Tribune that June. "I'm stronger mentally and that has helped me this year. Good concentration is essential at this level."
White played 1993 at high-A Osceola, then split 1994 between Osceola and AA Jackson. He then started 1995 at Jackson, but also saw high-A Kissimmee before moving to the Reds system and AA Winston-Salem and single-A Charleston.
White played 1996 at AA Chattanooga. He saw 15 games there to end his career.
- Tampa Tribune, May 1, 1990: Pro goals aside, Brandon's White wants state title
- Tampa Tribune, June 27, 1992: Improved concentration aids White
- Tampa Tribune, June 28, 1994: White finds pros no 'Snap'
Made the Majors:1,431-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,076-68.2%-X