Colorado Rockies top prospect Alex White — one of the top arms acquired via trade with the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Ubaldo Jimenez — underwent his first appearance as the newest member of the Rockies’ organization during a brief rehab start with the AA Tulsa Drillers.
On a limited pitch count, White forced a ground out and allowed two singles around a strikeout. With runners on first and second and two outs, AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City Royals affiliate) left fielder Paulo Orlando hit a 1-1 pitch over the fence for an early 3-0 lead. Orlando had been white hot his last 10 games with a .455 average and 1.271 OPS coming into tonight’s matchup.
White forced another groundout to end the inning. Despite the poor numbers, this is nothing to be concerned about regarding White’s long term success. This was his first game action since May 20, when he suffered a torn pulley tendon in his finger during his third career MLB start with the Cleveland Indians.
White is scheduled to throw another pitch count shortened start in three days, and then will be the full time starter for at least one more Drillers game. If these rehab starts show some promise, then White could easily make his Colorado Rockies debut in less than three weeks.