Meet rookie Tyler White: The Astros' likely first baseman who rakes

One of the more hyped teams heading into the 2016 season is the Astros, but they have an unknown rookie first baseman.

By Matt Snyder

Mar 28, 2016 at 5:33 pm ET • 1 min read

The Astros head into the 2016 season predicted by many to be one of baseball's heavyweights, so it's a bit surprising that their first baseman will make many casual baseball fans say, "who?"

Because it's Tyler White.

With Jon Singleton optioned to the minors, White was informed Monday that he was making the team. Manager A.J. Hinch gave White a fun moment, too:

Hinch told White he made team in front of the team. Said it was emotional. Wasn't a behind doors talk.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 28, 2016

Also cool for White: His parents arrived a bit later and he was seen hugging them in the crowd. Here they are, discussing the news of the day.

Heather and Brian White. "It's not everyday your son's dreams come true" pic.twitter.com/JFvmtHFoRe
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 28, 2016

As for White as a player, he hits. He's always hit. Even without much fanfare coming out of college -- he was a 33rd round draft pick out of Western Carolina -- he'd hit .322/.406/.456 in three stops in 2013, his pro debut season. He's never been named to a major "top 100" prospect list during his time in the minors, but he's never stopped hitting.

Last year, between Double-A and Triple-A, White hit .325/.442/.496 with 25 doubles, 14 homers and 99 RBI. He walked 84 times against 73 strikeouts. So in the Astros' homer- and strikeout-heavy offense, he'll be a nice change of pace.

White has definitely earned the job this spring. He entered Monday hitting .366/.460/.585 with three doubles and two homers in 50 spring plate appearances.

White may not get everyday starts at first, as Luis Valbuena and Marwin Gonzalez can handle first while Singleton and A.J. Reed are minor leaguers who could eventually figure in at first. Still, to begin the season, White being the Astros' first baseman is pretty cool. It's not often 33rd rounders are starting with big-time contenders as rookies.