There are about to be some major tanks hit in West Sacramento.
The Athletics are calling up infield prospect Tommy White to the major league roster, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. White, better known by his nickname "Tommy Tanks," has been known for his elite power since his college days at LSU. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com also reported the Athletics are calling up pitching prospect Yunior Tur.
In three collegiate seasons between NC State and LSU, White hit 75 home runs, ranking eighth on the NCAA Division I all-time career home run list. The Athletics selected the third baseman in the second-round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
Since turning pro, White has continued to crush home runs. In 93 games last season, the 23-year-old hit 12 home runs while batting .275 with a .439 slugging percentage.
White has taken another step forward this season, slashing .303/.353/.465 with 10 home runs, 64 RBI and an .818 OPS.
White's promotion also comes at an important time. The Athletics are currently without first baseman Nick Kurtz, who landed on the injured list just before the All-Star break with a right thumb capsule strain.
Once Kurtz returns, the Athletics could have one of the most exciting young infields in baseball. Kurtz and White bring massive power to the corners, while Jacob Wilson and Joshua Kuroda-Grauer give them two of the best young contact hitters in the game up the middle.
The timing of the move isn't surprising. The Athletics entered the All-Star break on a nine-game losing streak. That collapse dropped them eight games back in the AL West and 6.5 games out of an AL Wild Card spot. Clearly, the organization isn't ready to wave the white flag and is adding another dangerous bat to its lineup.
The American League has been underwhelming this season, with more than half the league sitting below .500. As a result, the gap between contenders and the rest of the field remains small. That has kept hope alive for teams still trying to climb back into the postseason race.
It won't be easy for the Athletics after their recent slide, but this offense has the ability to score runs with anyone.
White is expected to make his major league debut Friday when the Athletics return home to face the Washington Nationals.
