The Hanwha Eagles have made an important move for the upcoming season by signing Owen White, a former Major League Baseball pitcher. The team confirmed the signing on Wednesday, welcoming the 26-year-old right-hander to the Korea Baseball Organisation.
Owen White agreed to a one-year contract worth $1 million. This deal includes $800,000 as salary and a $200,000 signing bonus. The Eagles believe this move can help strengthen their pitching staff after losing some key players during the offseason.
White comes from North Carolina, USA, and was once seen as a strong young talent. He was selected in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers. Between 2023 and 2024, he pitched in five MLB games for the Rangers. In 2025, he also appeared in three games for the Chicago White Sox.
While his time in Major League Baseball was short, White gained valuable experience. Across his MLB career, he pitched 14 innings. In the minor leagues this year, he spent most of his time at the Triple-A level, where he made 20 appearances, including 17 starts. During those games, he pitched 81 innings, struck out 65 batters, and continued working on his control and consistency.
The Hanwha Eagles shared that White has a wide range of pitching skills. He can throw six different pitches, including a fastball, cutter, changeup, and curveball. His four-seam fastball averaged over 92 miles per hour, which the team believes will translate well to KBO play.
Team officials said White still has strong potential because of his age and pitching variety. He is expected to join Wilkel Hernandez at the front of the Eagles’ starting rotation.
Last season, the Eagles relied heavily on Cody Ponce and Ryan Weiss, but both pitchers have now returned to Major League Baseball. With their departure, the team needed new arms, and signing Owen White is seen as a key step in rebuilding the rotation.
For Hanwha fans, this signing brings fresh hope and excitement as the team prepares for a new season with a new-look pitching staff.