21-year-old West Virginia University player Sam White inks deal with his ‘favourite team’ after going undrafted<\/p>\n
Newmarket native and Auroran Sam White will get a chance to pursue a spot with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays after signing with the Major League Baseball franchise July 19.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old West Virginia University player went undrafted this year, but the Blue Jays signed him to a minor-league deal following the July 13 to 14 draft. White now joins the Blue Jays\u2019 prospect system after leading his university squad with a .361 batting average this season.<\/p>\n
White\u00a0said he is excited by the prospect of playing with his hometown team.<\/p>\n
“I grew up cheering for the Blue Jays. They’ve been my favourite team my whole life,” White said. “It’s always been a dream to play for them.”<\/p>\n
White, a graduate of Aurora High School, has played three seasons with West Virginia University. Over 161 games played in his full career, White posted\u00a0a .310 batting average with 19 home runs and 111 RBI. This past season was his best, as he led his team with\u00a069 hits. He was also second on the team with 46 RBI.<\/p>\n
The baseball player said he has a passion for the game that has continued to drive him to success.<\/p>\n
“A lot of the hours and a lot of the time that I put in extra reps, and all that kind of stuff has added up and separated me from other players,” he said. “I don’t look at that as me just putting my head down and grinding. I see it as me just loving the game and wanting to do it for a long time.”<\/p>\n
He added credit for the many people in his life who have supported him along the way.<\/p>\n
White suffered a setback with a torn labrum, for which he recently underwent surgery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said that while he had a good season, he ultimately was not picked\u00a0in this year’s MLB draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It was upsetting. I think I played really, really well,” he said. “I showed that I can hold my own against some really good competition, but unfortunately, there was some doubt in certain people’s eyes.”<\/p>\n
That may have stemmed from his recent injury, White said. But fortunately, the Blue Jays came calling and offered him a deal that works well for him.<\/p>\n
“Everything happens for a reason,” White said. “I’m just happy I came out of it with an offer that I’m content with.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Aurora community expressed excitement about the announcement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Aurora Sports Hall of Fame named White a future hall of famer\u00a0in 2022 and celebrated the signing\u00a0on its social media.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019re incredibly proud of you and can\u2019t wait to cheer you on in the big leagues,” the Aurora Hall of Fame said on Facebook.<\/p>\n
Others also chimed in to celebrate, including Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas.<\/p>\n