Speed To Burn: Eli White Among Fastest In MLB

Eli White

Eli White

Eli White

It’s one of the reasons the Rangers are using him as a leadoff hitter and as a No. 9 hitter. That sounds odd, but his speed helps the Rangers in both locations in the order.

That speed is another reason the Rangers are likely to play through his inevitable slumps at the plate.

On Sunday, White played left field at hit leadoff against the Houston Astros. He went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts to drop his average to .194 in the 5-2 loss. He finished 0-for-10 for the four-game set. His average has been dropping the past couple of weeks, and it hasn’t stopped the Rangers from using him.

That's because his on-base percentage is still hovering over .300, which allows the Rangers to keep playing him despite the average dip.

And he has wheels.

Entering Tuesday’s game at the Los Angeles Angles, White has eight stolen bases and he hasn’t been caught yet this season. That puts him among the top five players in the American League. He’s the Rangers’ biggest threat once he gets on base.

He showed that off during the last homestand. Against Boston on May 14, an 11-3 loss to the Red Sox, White stole two bases in the first inning.

On May 16, the opener against the Angels, he led off and helped set the table in the Rangers’ six-run first inning, which set the tone for a three-game sweep. That was part of a 12-game on-base streak that lasted from April 25 to May 17.

The next day, White had a "Little League Homer," as his single and three-base error cleared the bases and led to the Rangers winning 10-5. White was timed at 14.79 seconds from home to home, which was the fastest time in the Majors this season, per Statcast.

Corey Seager

Corey Seager and Marcus Semien

Corey Seager

His speed doesn’t just come in handy on the basepaths, either. He can play both left field and center field, and he has three outfield assists this season, tied for third in the AL. He showed off his speed and arm in Friday’s game with Houston, as he threw out Aledmys Diaz at second when the pinch-hitter tried to stretch a single into a double.

Best of all, the Rangers are 10-6 in White’s last 16 starts. When he’s in the lineup, he helps influence the outcome.

White is trying to build on his 2021 season, during which he hit a slash of .177/.259/.308/.567 in 64 games, with six home runs and 15 RBI.

The Rangers seem intent on giving him every chance to improve.

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

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