White hopes progress will ease pressure

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 14, 2000

ORLANDO -- It's three hours before game time, and Matt White is watching a heated battle of video baseball on the only television in the Orlando Rays locker room. Teammate Trevor Enders has selected the Arizona Diamondbacks, and his pitcher is Randy Johnson.

Cedrick Bowers, who has selected the New York Mets, doesn't stand a chance. Changeup, curveball, fastball, all blow by the Mets hitters.

White joins in on the good-natured ribbing Bowers is taking. Just another minor-league pitcher biding his time until the game, during which he will chart pitches and spit sunflower seeds.

But White is not an ordinary minor-leaguer. Since November 1996, when the Devil Rays signed him as a free agent after San Francisco failed to offer a contract within 15 days of making him its first-round pick, many eyes have been on White.

Maybe it is because of his talent. White was the USA Today High School Player of the Year in '96 after compiling a 10-1 record and 0.63 ERA at Waynesboro (Pa.) High. Maybe it is his 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame and 95-mph fastball.

But it likely is because of his record $10.2-million signing bonus. For that kind of money, people expected White to be in the major leagues quickly.

In his fourth season of professional ball, White, 21, is at Double-A Orlando, two steps from the big leagues. In the minors, White is 26-29 with a 4.64 ERA. This season he is 5-5 with a 4.54 ERA.

Some prospects from 1996 have made the majors, including two prep players. Right-hander Adam Eaton is 1-0 in three games with San Diego this season, and right-hander John Patterson appeared briefly for Arizona last season, although he is back at Triple A.

As the second prep player taken in '96 (Patterson was the first), White knows there's pressure.

"Sometimes it creeps in there because you look at guys that came in with you that have had success," he said. "If I take care of things here, I know things will work out. I'll get there when I get hitters out. I don't worry what other people think. But sometimes when things are going bad, that stuff creeps into your mind. It can be distracting."

White started this season well. He was 2-1 in April with a 1.93 ERA and was the organization's Pitcher of the Month. In his next seven starts, he allowed 31 runs in 371/3 innings and went 2-4.

He showed signs of improvement Sunday when he threw eight innings, allowed one hit and struck out a season-high 11 in a 4-0 win over Greenville.

"When Matt's been in trouble this season it's been because of his command," manager Mike Ramsey said. "He's still throwing with good velocity, but sometimes he's been a little wild. Otherwise, he's looked very good."

White has walked 39 in 731/3 innings, but he walked one Sunday.

"When I was going good, it felt like I could locate the fastball wherever I wanted," White said. "When I got behind in the count, I got a feeling I could get the guy out on the next pitch. Then for three or four starts I felt a little erratic. It felt like my arm was dead."

White said he has matured since signing his contract. He has a home in Largo's exclusive Bayou Club. And he hopes that with patience, he'll have a place in the exclusive major leagues.

"As far as concentration and preparation, I'd say I've come a long way," he said. "Looking back on some of the ways I prepared, I wasn't doing it the right way. That's all part of the learning process."

DURHAM: Second baseman Bobby Smith led the International League in RBI (55) and doubles (20) through Monday's games. Smith was tied for first with Pawtucket's Israel Alcantara with 17 home runs. Third baseman Aubrey Huff was sixth with a .338 batting average.

ORLANDO: Outfielder/designated hitter Joe Pomierski was second in the Southern League with 21 doubles and was tied for first with 31 extra-base hits.

ST. PETERSBURG: Left-hander Ronni Seberino was the only Devil Ray selected for the Florida State League All-Star Game on Saturday in Jupiter. Through Monday, the middle reliever was 5-0 with a 3.21 ERA.

CHARLESTON: Outfielder Josh Hamilton will play centerfield for the Southern Division team in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game on Tuesday in Charleston. He was batting .337 with seven home runs and 17 doubles through Monday.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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