Pittsburgh Pirates: The All-Under-20 Prospect Team

Right Field: Lonnie White Jr.

Lonnie White Jr. was an even higher touted prospect going into the 2021 draft. White Jr. was picked with the 64th overall selection. He was the team’s competitive balance pick but was projected to go a handful of picks earlier. FanGraphs ranked him as the draft’s 54th best prospect.

White Jr. is a highly athletic outfielder with some power like Bishop. He’s a better fielder who has a 60-grade fielding grade, but a weaker arm. Though it’s still solid with a 50-grade. White has enough speed to remain as a center fielder, though I have him in right field here as he’s played some in the minor leagues. White Jr. can leverage his 6’3, 212-pound frame to generate good power. Though his hit tool can get a bit fringy at times. But if he can overcome that, you’re looking at one powerful outfield bat.

It’s quite possible that White would have been a first-round pick if he solely focused on baseball in high school. He was also a wide receiver in high school, which limited the amount of time he could have dedicated to baseball, possibly leading to the fact his hit tool can be fringy. Not only now can he solely focus on baseball, but will also be under the tutelage of the Pirates’ development team as well as their coaches.