It’s a classic story: The top young prospect gets called up to The Show to replace an injured player and kicks some butt, charms the crowd, and wins a job. How it will all play out for Alex White’s major league debut remains to be seen. What’s important is that the club is giving him a chance. The Indians picked White in the 1st round of the 2009 June Amateur Draft (15th overall). At 22, White is 215 pounds of potential. In 2010, he was 2-3 for the Kinston Indians (Class A, Carolina League) and 8-7 for the Akron Aeros (Class AA, Eastern League). This year, with the Class AAA Columbus Clippers, he’s started four games and has a 1-0 record and a 1.90 ERA. One of the things I like about White is that at each stop in his quick journey through the minor leagues, he’s gotten better. His numbers have quietly improved. He seems like the kind of player who can rise to the level of play around him without becoming overwhelmed. Granted, he may go out on Saturday and get shelled. He may go out on Saturday and give the Tigers a whupping. We won’t know until it’s over. What’s important is the club recognizes that he’s the best arm they have at the ready. He’s the right man for the job. And while the fans don’t (and shouldn’t) make managerial decisions, the decision to bring up White while Carrasco is on the DL is a popular one. For a team that’s standing atop their division and still can’t seem to get more than 10,000 fans into the stadium on a weeknight, making a smart move that also makes the fans happy is a wise choice. And we all know what happens when you choose poorly.
Obviously White’s debut worked out fine.That said I am more concerned right now with his super 2 status.Though anything is possible I don’t see this years central division as being much of a challenge to this years Indians.If he continues to perform well we may be out a season of his service down the road.Still makes a great story.