The Windy City ThunderBolts have announced that the contract of outfielder Ryne White has been purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies. White becomes the fourth ThunderBolts player to have been signed by a Major League organization during the 2010 season.
White, a Chicago native, was a fourth round draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008 out of Purdue University. He spent two seasons in the Arizona system before joining the Chicago Cubs high-A affiliate in Daytona to begin 2010.
Following his release from the Cubs, the St. Rita product got a chance to play close to home in the Frontier League with the ThunderBolts. Playing mostly as a corner outfielder, White hit .274 with five home runs and 30 RBI. He led the team with 15 doubles. In one of his final games with Windy City, he hit a game-winning home run in the eighth inning against the Lake Erie Crushers on July 28.
“I’m really happy for him; his hard work paid off” ThunderBolts manager Mike Kashirsky said. “We’re going to miss him here. He was a great guy not only on the field but in the clubhouse, [but] the guys are really happy for him. He’s going to do a great job there.”
White will be placed in low-A for the Phillies. He is expected to play first base for the Lakewood BlueClaws. He is the second ThunderBolt to be signed by the Phillies in the last month, joining pitcher Bradley Blanks.
Overall, the ThunderBolts have had four players signed into affiliated ball this season. Matt Jernstad joined the Yankees and Pete Budkevics was signed by the Dodgers, both in June. White is the first position player to be picked up.
