By 2025, former Clemson Tiger Eli White had the job of doing exactly what the Braves needed and he did it: He stayed prepared. Playing in place of a slew of injuries all over the Atlanta outfield, White came up with one of the most unlikely “double-double” seasons in modern times, clubbing 10 home runs and stealing 10 bases in just over 100 games.
His .736 OPS against left-handed pitching lifted him from defensive sub to tactical platoon weapon. Atlanta rewarded his efficiency with a one-year contract for 2026 and did away with arbitration, adding more weight to his status as a nucleus of the bench.
2026 Season Preview:
The value of White in 2026 is that he is versatile and game-changing. As likely to begin the season on a short side platoon with Mike Yastrzemski, former manager Brian Snitker calls White the chief "late-inning insurance policy."
Whether as a pinch-runner to take a vital base or filling in a starter position for Gold Glove-caliber center-field defense, White’s contributions will outweigh his plate appearances in any game. Projections also show another double-digit steal season, and he is still the "green light" to which every opposing pitcher fears in the 9th inning.