Pirates Top Prospects No. 15: Lonnie White Jr. Bounces Back in Big Way

This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN's Top 30 Pirates prospects .

Lonnie White Jr. was committed to play baseball and football at Penn State when the Pirates selected him in the second round of the 2021 draft. They thought so highly of him that they signed him to an overslot deal of $1.5 million to pry him away from the Nittany Lions.

He got his first taste of professional baseball in 2021 but missed essentially all of 2022 with an injury. Injuries continued to be a problem for White, but he still performed well in the Florida Complex League and Low-A Bradenton in 2023.

But White hit just .167 with a .614 OPS with High-A Greensboro in the hitter-friendly South Atlantic League in 2024. He improved back with Greensboro in 2025, but only marginally. White batted .220/.320/.394 with 12 home runs, 39 RBI and 23 steals. Injuries again played a part, limiting him to a combined 171 games between the two seasons.

Aided by good health, White broke out this year. The 23-year-old began the year with Greensboro but quickly earned a promotion to Double-A Altoona. In 91 games post-promotion, White slashed .262/.366/.500 with 16 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 48 RBI and 12 steals.

White, who ranked fourth among Pirates' minor-leaguers with 26 combined home runs between Greensboro and Altoona, finished fourth in the Eastern League in slugging percentage, tied for fourth OPS (.866) and ninth in OBP.

White is extremely athletic. Most people capable of playing Division I football are. But health has always been the biggest factor holding White back from reaching his full potential.

With a mostly healthy season, White showed the type of player he can be. He's back on the prospect radar as a player the Pirates are hoping can one day help contribute. He possesses an intriguing mix of some power, speed and defense.