Less than a month after setting the NCAA freshman home run record, Tommy “Tanks” White is taking his slugging talents to a new school.
The former NC State first baseman is transferring to the LSU Tigers, as first reported by Kendall Rogers of D1 Baseball on Friday.
White confirmed the news on Instagram.
In 2022 with the Wolfpack, White put together a robust .362/.425/.757 slash line and crushed 27 dingers. Texas’ Ivan Melendez leads the nation in home runs with 32, breaking Kris Bryant’s Division I home run record in the BBCOR bats era (since 20211). But Melendez also played 12 more games than White.
White will have two years of eligibility remaining before he can enter the MLB Draft.
Additionally, as also reported by Rogers, LSU added another high-profile transfer in pitcher Christian Little. The right-hander had a 3.72 ERA in 38 2/3 innings pitched for Vanderbilt as a sophomore in 2022. Rogers notes that Little “has first-round potential.”
So, Friday was a massive day for the LSU baseball program. The Tigers — winners of six national championships — went 40-22 in their first year under head coach Jay Johnson, with their season ending in the NCAA Regionals. LSU also has outfielder Dylan Crews (1.153 OPS in 2022), who’s expected to be in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Here’s a look at how college baseball fans are reacting to the LSU transfer additions:
So today in LSU sports:
– Jay Johnson lands two of the biggest transfers in college baseball with Tommy White and Christian Little.
– Kim Mulkey gets a commitment from Mikaylah Williams, the No. 1 recruit in the country.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) June 24, 2022
[Photo Credit: ACC Network; ESPN Plus]