Brandon White happy to return home to play in All-Star Game
Brandon White didn’t mind awake-up call Sunday morning.
Rome pitching coach Dan Meyer called White around 8:30 a.m. to let the former Chapin standout know he was headed back to the Midlands to take part in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game at Spirit Communications Park.
“I will take an hour less of sleep to get play in the all-star game in Columbia,” White said Monday. “When I got sent to Rome, my goal was to make it to Columbia and play in front of my friends and family. I think I might have 40 friends and family here tomorrow.”
White, a 12th-round pick by the Atlanta Braves last year, said he was disappointed initially when he didn’t make the team when the rosters came out a couple weeks ago but is glad to be part of the game.
White spent last season in shortseason at Danville and has been the stopper out of the Rome bullpen. He is 1-0 with a 1.67 ERA and eight saves this season.
Fireflies’ Gonzalez to get the start
Columbia Fireflies’ pitcher Merandy Gonzalez will get the start on the mound for the Southern Division team.
Jordan Humphreys was expected to be the starter but pitched Friday. Columbia reliever Adonis Uceta also was added to the Southern Division roster, replacing Max Kuhns (injured).
Holladay ready to begin college
Sumter’s Jordan Holladay competed in Monday’s Home Run Derby, his last duty as a high school player.
Holladay will begin his college career Tuesday when he enrolls at South Carolina. The first baseman is part of the Gamecocks’ signing Class of 2017.
This story was originally published June 19, 2017 at 9:55 PM with the headline "Brandon White happy to return home to play in All-Star Game."