Tommy White arrived in Las Vegas with a reputation built on tape-measure home runs, but the Athletics’ No. 9 prospect is proving he’s more than just a power hitter. Since his promotion from Double-A Midland on April 27, White has hit .343 with two homers for the Aviators (23-20), earning regular playing time and praise from manager Fran Riordan.
“He’s really impressed so far,” Riordan said. “He’s got a lot of ability and tremendous upside, and we’re excited to have him in our lineup every day.”
White, who transferred from North Carolina State to LSU after his freshman year, earned the nickname “Tommy Tanks” after a five-hit, three-homer game against Evansville. But the 22-year-old third baseman is focused on becoming a complete player, improving his defense and plate discipline. His strikeout rate has dropped from 17% in Low-A in 2024 to 13.3% this season, including 10.1% in Triple-A.
“My main goal is just to win the ballgame,” White said. “I’m trying to be an all-around hitter first, and then tap into power whenever it comes. … I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team.”
White’s production has been a key factor in Las Vegas winning four of six games last week in Reno, where he had multi-hit games in all four starts and drove in seven runs. His power was on display during Big League Weekend this spring, when he hit homers of 429 and 378 feet against the Los Angeles Angels.
Off the field, White is equally impactful. At LSU, he donated $30,000 of his NIL funds to Empower 225, a Baton Rouge nonprofit fighting poverty. He also runs baseball clinics for youth in the offseason and finds peace deep-sea fishing.
“There’s a lot of people with tools in Triple-A and the big leagues, and Tommy definitely has those raw tools, but he wants to get better every single day,” said pitcher Gage Jump, White’s teammate at LSU. “He’s a huge competitor. That’s something that I value, and that’s something I want on my team.”
JKG leads the way
Infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, the Athletics’ No. 10 prospect, has seamlessly taken over the leadoff spot after Henry Bolte was called up to Oakland on May 12. Promoted from Midland the same day, Kuroda-Grauer went 13-for-29 (.448) with a home run, two doubles, and two triples last week against Reno.
“He’s a guy that does a good job of using the whole field,” Riordan said, “and when he gets on base, he can be a disruptor.”
Kuroda-Grauer hit his first Aviators homer on Friday night, a 399-foot blast to left on the second pitch of the game.
Jump taking next step
Left-hander Gage Jump, the No. 3 prospect in the A’s system, bounced back from a rough start to deliver four shutout innings on Thursday against Reno. He struck out six and walked one, allowing just two hits. A calf cramp prevented him from going deeper. In his previous outing, Jump struck out eight but surrendered six runs (five earned) and two homers.
“He’s been focusing on commanding the baseball and being more consistent,” Riordan said. “Even though it was only a four-inning sample size, it was just a glimpse of what he could be in the future.”
Up next: Aviators vs. Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies affiliate), Tuesday-Sunday at Las Vegas Ballpark.
