Owen White Joins KBO's Hanwha Eagles: A Second Chance for the Former Top Prospect
The Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization have signed right-hander Owen White, a former top prospect who is now 26 years old. White, once ranked as the #59 prospect in the league by Baseball America, is making a $1MM deal with the Eagles, including a $200K signing bonus and a salary of $800K. This move comes after a challenging journey for White, who has faced numerous setbacks in his professional career.
White's professional debut was delayed by Tommy John surgery in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which wiped out the minor leagues. However, when he returned to action, he quickly showed his potential. Between 2021 and 2022, he pitched 115 2/3 innings in the minors, allowing only 3.42 earned runs per nine innings. His strong walk rate of 7.5% and excellent strikeout rate of 34.1% were notable achievements.
The Texas Rangers recognized his talent and gave him a 40-man spot in the 2022-23 offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. However, White's performance took a turn for the worse in the major leagues. He was shelled in his first major league appearances and his results declined in the minors as well. Over 2023 and 2024, he pitched 207 2/3 innings for the Triple-A Round Rock Express with a 4.90 ERA, which was not impressive in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
White's performance led to his release from the Texas roster in December 2024. Despite his past prospect status, he was designated for assignment. Several teams, including the Reds, Yankees, and White Sox, showed interest, and he signed with the White Sox for the 2025 season. However, he was kept on optional assignment and only threw seven big league innings, allowing seven earned runs, resulting in a 12.86 ERA in 14 total innings in the majors.
In the minor leagues, White pitched 81 innings in the Chicago system with a 4.44 ERA, but his strikeout and walk rates were subpar. He exhausted his final option season in 2025, making it difficult to secure a roster spot. The White Sox passed him through waivers unclaimed in October, and he became a minor league free agent.
White's overseas move to the Hanwha Eagles presents a unique opportunity. While he might have been limited to minor league deals in North America, heading overseas provides a bigger guarantee and a chance to showcase his skills on a notable stage. This strategy has proven successful for other pitchers like Cody Ponce, Anthony Kay, Drew Anderson, Foster Griffin, and Ryan Weiss, who secured lucrative deals with MLB clubs after pitching in Japan or South Korea.
With his young age and potential, White could follow this path and find a new gear with the Eagles, potentially returning to North America for a big payday.
