Seacoast Pitcher Is Nation’s Top High School Baseball Prospect
A Seacoast teenager is the No. 1 baseball prospect in the country for the 2023 high-school class, according to Baseball America.
Thomas White, a native of Rowley who attends Phillips Andover, is a left-handed pitcher who has already shown the ability to throw a mid-90s fastball, according to some reports. Perfect Game reports White threw a 92 mph fastball at the 2020 Northeast Prospect Showcase.
Typically, baseball's top prospects come from warm-weather climates and states where kids can play year-round baseball. In New England and other harsh winter states, time on the diamond can be hard to come by.
Still, that hasn't hurt White's stock. Although he's just 16 years old, White stands out due to his 6 foot 4 inch frame and imposing left-handed delivery from the mound. And while there are a handful of New Englanders in the ranks of Major League Baseball, few if any have received the high praise being bestowed upon White, who could be a high pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Although many believe White's future is on the mound, he has also shown proficiency at the plate. Per Perfect Game, his exit velocity, barrel speed and impact momentum were all in the 94th to 98th percentiles among hitters in the 2023 class.
Here is what Perfect Game had to say about White's performance at the 2020 Northeast Prospect Showcase:
Thomas White is a 2023 LHP/OF with a 6-4 190 lb. frame from Rowley, MA who attends Phillips Academy. Extra-large, athletic frame with long limbs and a high waist, present strength to frame with additional room to fill throughout. Primary lefthanded pitcher, simple delivery, side step moving into a leg lift up to belt; long and fast arm action through the back working to an extended three-quarters release point. Fastball jumps out of hand with low effort, fluid release, up to 92 mph and lived at the knees to either side of the plate. Fastball can overpower hitters and gets on them quickly with extension out front. Maintained velocity well and pitched mostly off of fastball, did flash a curveball up to 72 mph that offers short bite when on top. Lefthanded hitter, begins with a high hand set and back elbow at the plate with an even stance; uses length well and creates leverage out front. Mostly linear with path, inconsistent at times but shows carry to pull side, loads hands back at start of swing, stays shorter to the ball. Excellent student. Named to the 2020 Northeast Prospect Top Prospect List.